Mariners Slugger Becomes First Name in Key All-Star Game Event in Seattle After Incredible ’22 Performance
As MLB’s All-Star week approaches, some fans are looking forward to the Home Run Derby. With Seattle hosting the event, the first player to enter his name in the Home Run Derby is someone close to Mariners fans’ hearts.
MLB confirmed that Julio Rodríguez, the 2022 AL Rookie of the Year, will officially take part in the Home Run Derby as the hometown favorite. Last year, Rodríguez took the league by storm, blasting 28 home runs in 132 games on his way to that Rookie of the Year award, becoming the fourth Mariner to win the award since 2000.
Rodríguez made history at least year’s Derby, hitting 81 total home runs—the second-highest mark by a player all-time for a single event—and falling one homer short of Juan Soto in the final round.
???? J-ROD IS IN THE DERBY ????@JRodShow44 is the first confirmed participant in the @TMobile #HRDerby! pic.twitter.com/kWE97KnvId
— MLB (@MLB) June 23, 2023
No Mariner has won the Home Run Derby since Ken Griffey Jr., who did so three times in the 1990s. Last time the All-Star Game was in Seattle, Bret Boone represented the Mariners but lost to Luis Gonzalez in the event.
So far this year, Rodríguez has 12 home runs but just a .715 OPS, so there is no guarantee that he makes the All-Star Game. However, after rising to star-level popularity last year, and since he’s still the best hitter in the Mariners lineup, he is the most logical choice to represent Seattle at the Home Run Derby.