Home Run Derby Preview

Prince Fielder will be competing in his first Home Run Derby of his career. He will be the fifth Brewer to compete in the derby. Greg Vaughn, Jeromy Burnitz, Richie Sexson and Carlos Lee were the other Brewers to participate in the derby. This year's All-Star Game is in San Francisco at AT&T Park which means most of the discussion during the derby will center on McCovey Cove. That is where Fielder will be looking to put a few balls into the water past the right field stands.

National League Participants:

Prince Fielder, Milwaukee Brewers - 29 HR's (2007), 59 HR's (Career)

The manager of the the West Virginia Power, the Brewers low A affiliate, Mike Guerrero will be throwing to Fielder in the derby. Guerrero was the hitting coach for the Beloit Snappers when Fielder played for that team. Fielder will be the starting first baseman for the NL in Tuesday's All-Star Game.

Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies - 21 HR's (2007), 103 HR's (Career)

Howard will be looking to defend his title after winning the 2006 Home Run Derby in Pittsburgh at PNC Park. Pitching to Howard will be Phillies bullpen coach Ramon Hernandez who threw to Howard last year and Bobby Abreu when he won the competition in 2005. Howard is competing in the derby even though he is not an All-Star this year.

Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals - 16 HR's (2007), 266 HR's (Career)

Pujols was picked to participate in the derby on Sunday in the midst of the longest homer-less streak of his career. He has not hit a home run in his last 22 games. So, this derby might possibly do the opposite for Pujols what it did for Abreu in 2005. Abreu hit just six homers after the All-Star break after hitting 18 in the first half. Pujols also competed in the 2003 derby in Chicago at US Cellular Field and finished second behind Garret Anderson.

Matt Holliday, Colorado Rockies - 15 HR's (2007), 82 HR's (Career)

Holliday was selected to replace the injured Miguel Cabrera on Monday for the final spot in the derby. He is currently second in the NL in batting average (.341) behind Astros rookie phenom Hunter Pence. It will be the first derby for Holliday who is making his second All-Star appearance.

American League Participants:

Justin Morneau, Minnesota Twins - 24 HR's (2007), 102 HR's (Career)

The reigning AL MVP is making another run at that award this season. Morneau is in the top five in the majors for both home runs and RBIs. This is Morneau's first All-Star Game appearance and first Home Run Derby. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire will pitch to Morneau in the derby.

Magglio Ordonez, Detroit Tigers - 13 HR's (2007), 232 HR's (Career)

Ordonez is now a six-time All-Star and will be competing in his first derby. He currently leads the majors with a .367 batting average and will be starting in the outfield for the American League in Tuesday's All-Star Game.

Vladimir Guerrero, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - 14 HR (2007), 352 HR's (Career)

Guerrero will be participating in his second Home Run Derby of his career. He finished tied for fifth in the 2000 derby at Turner Field in Atlanta. Angels third base coach Dino Ebel will be pitching to Guerrero in the competition.

Alex Rios, Toronto Blue Jays - 17 HR's (2007), 45 HR's (Career)

This is Rios' second All-Star Game selection and first Home Run Derby. Last year when he was selected to the All-Star Game, he did not play because of a staph infection. Rios talked to ESPN's Baseball Tonight Sunday evening about the Home Run Derby and said he doesn't have a game plan and will "just gonna go with the flow."