Chris Davis, Bryce Harper among sluggers picked for Home Run Derby

Mike Oz

The participants for this year's Home Run Derby have been selected and they include MLB's current home run titan, a two-time derby champ and one of the game's brightest young talents.

AL: Robinson Cano (captain), Chris Davis, Prince Fielder and one more TBA
NL: David Wright (captain), Carlos Gonzalez, Bryce Harper and Michael Cuddyer

The AL looks stacked, with league-leader Davis and two-time derby winner Fielder. You wonder if their three guys could hit more than the NL without adding a fourth. Maybe? By comparison, the NL makes you scratch your head a bit. Cuddyer?! He's having a heck of a year, but in the Home Run Derby? He's not the guy you think of for tape-measure homers. Harper? People will tune in to see him, but he's coming off injury.

What about Paul Goldschmidt (21 homers)? He's deserving of the big stage. Domonic Brown (23) too. And, of course, seeing Giancarlo Stanton in the derby would get a lot of attention, even though he didn't make the All-Star team after his hobbled first half.

Who will get that TBA spot on the AL team? Edwin Encarnacion (23 homers) seems like a solid bet, but it would sure would be nice to see either Miguel Cabrera (28) or Mike Trout (15) too.

Here are this year's competitors ranked by home runs hit this season:

• Chris Davis (33)
• Carlos Gonzalez (24)
• Robinson Cano (20)
• Michael Cuddyer (15)
• Prince Fielder (15)
• Bryce Harper (13)
• David Wright (13)

While Chris Davis will be the favorite, conventional wisdom says he won't win and it will be someone we didn't think even think had a chance. So yes, that means Michael Cuddyer might be a good bet after all.

Unless Justin Verlander gets that final AL spot. Then he's totally my pick.

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