2012 Home Run Derby Participant Field Set

It’s the day before the MLB All-Star Game. Which means it’s the second-deadest day on the sports calendar, after the day following the MLB All-Star Game. There is nothing of any consequence taking place today, but there are a bunch of journalists and bloggers who need to earn their paychecks, which is why you’ve been reading about All-Star Game starting pitchers and lineups. It’s also why you’re reading about today’s Home Run Derby. The Home Run Derby doesn’t matter for beans, but it matters the most of anything that’s happening today, because it’s up against nothing, so we have to talk about it. This is another article about the Home Run Derby, and I apologize, or, you’re welcome.

And what he is is a hell of a slugger. A pure, classic slugger, who hits home runs that ought to have nicknames. Are you familiar with Isolated Slugging Percentage? It’s just Slugging Percentage minus Batting Average. Measure of power. Since the start of the 2011 season, Trumbo’s posted baseball’s eighth-highest ISO, and that’s while playing half the time in a pitcher-friendly ballpark. Just this season, Trumbo’s ISO ranks second, behind a guy who plays in a bandbox.

Unfortunately, the human body is not a simple thing. Stanton will miss the 2012 Home Run Derby after having surgery to remove loose bodies from his knees. This is a troubling development all around for Stanton -- what happens if they find loose bodies on the knees of the loose bodies, and what happens if they find loose bodies on the knees of those loose bodies??? -- but it’s a little discouraging that we don’t get to watch him against a batting-practice pitcher tonight.

There’s still a hero, though. There’s still someone for whom the world can unconditionally root.

For fans, not having Stanton socking dingers at Kauffman Stadium is a big loss. Few hitters have his power in the majors today, and he could have put on a real show in the Home Run Derby.

You are a degenerate gambler. Yes, you. And baseball games aren’t enough for you, so you’re looking for a way to gamble on exhibitions. Well, I’m certainly not going to enable that sort of behavior.

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We do not yet know if that lovely family scene will be repeated in Kansas City, but we now know who Cano, who was named AL HR Derby captain, will have as his teammates:

All three of those men can hit baseballs a long way and should put on a good show for the fans at Kauffman Stadium.

Sunday, he completed his squad. C. Trent Rosecrans:

Kemp’s hamstring injury will prevent him from playing in the All-Star Game, but standing at the plate and smacking home runs is allowed, apparently. Beltran is currently second in the NL with 20 home runs, and Gonzalez tied for fourth with 17. Most likely, the man most fans want to see hit is Stanton, who knocked out some of the lights on a Marlins Park scoreboard with a prodigious home run earlier this year.

Kemp has now made his first selection, and it’s someone who can hit baseballs a long, long way. Maybe the TV ratings are saved! Clark Spencer:

It’s too bad that they can’t transport the Marlins’ home-run sculpture to Kansas City so Stanton and others could take aim on it during this year’s Derby. Now that would be must-see TV.

From the USA Today:

“It’s not because (Bryce Harper is) a rookie. It’s just that there are other guys out there that are capable,” Kemp told USA TODAY Sports. “I’m not saying he wouldn’t do a good job in the Home Run Derby. He’s going to have plenty of time to participate in many Home Run Derbies. Just not this year. Nothing against him. I love watching him play.“Kemp didn’t reveal the NSA-developed algorithm that will eventually be used to select the participants, but Harper is going to miss the Derby because he’s too young. Or something.

Hamilton put on a legendary Derby performance in 2008. He then declined to participate in 2009 and 2010. He thought about participating in 2011, but here we are now in 2012, and the Derby will be Josh Hamilton-less barring a change of mind.

Back in 2008, before the Derby, Hamilton posted a .919 OPS, and homered once per 20 trips to the plate. After the Derby, he posted an .874 OPS, and homered once per 25 trips to the plate. He homered in his third, sixth, and seventh games coming out of the All-Star Break, so it’s not like the Derby messed up his swing. But now we’ve gone past another 200 words dedicated to the 2012 Home Run Derby -- in June -- so I’m going to stop writing now. Sorry about Josh Hamilton, you Home Run Derby enthusiasts.