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Kansas City Royals outfielder Jac Caglianone
This year's Home Run Derby field is beginning to take shape.
Two more American League stars announced their participation in the annual All-Star showcase on Wednesday. Kansas City Royals first baseman/outfielder Jac Caglianone and Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras eachentered the fold.
Caglianone appeared to confirm that his father will pitch to him at Citizens Bank Park on Monday night.
"Excited to be a part of this year's Home Run Derby!" Caglianone wrote on Instagram. "Pops and I can’t wait! See y’all in Philly!"
Following a pedestrian start to his first full big league season, Caglianone found his footing by crushing nine home runs in June. The 23-year-old has 14 long balls this year, the fewest of the four confirmed contestants, but a bright-red Statcast page could nevertheless make him a popular pick to win.
Caglianone rates above MLB's 90th percentile in barrel rate (15.4%), average exit velocity (93.7 mph), bat speed (77.2 mph) and hard-hit rate (57.2%). His home runs have traveled an average distance of 418 feet, tied with Mickey Moniak for sixth on MLB's leaderboard.
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Meanwhile, Contreras has unlocked a new level of power, matching last year's tally near the midway mark with 20 home runs. The 34-year-old went yard on Saturday and Sunday and now brandishes a .287/.381/.545 slash line in his first year with the Red Sox, who have otherwise struggled to clear the fences.
Although he was initially left off the All-Star Game roster, the AL named Contreras as a replacement for division rival Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on Tuesday. He'll compete in his first Home Run Derby alongside his fourth All-Star nod.
Caglianone and Contreras join Ben Rice and 2025 runner-up Junior Caminero as the announced Home Run Derby contestants. Each of those young AL East All-Stars has 26 home runs this season, tied for the Junior Circuit's second-highest tally behind Yordan Alvarez (29).
Four spots remain in the Home Run Derby, which Netflix will stream exclusively on Monday at 8 p.m. ET.
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