CLEVELAND, Ohio – Carlos Santana will participate in the Home Run Derby. The 33-year-old will be one of eight players who will participate on July 8 at Progressive Field.
Santana is currently tied for thirteenth in the American League with 18 homers. He hit 34 home runs for the Indians in 2016, which was a career-high.
Santana spent last season in Philadelphia after playing the first eight years of his career in Cleveland. The Indians traded for him this offseason and it’s paid off. He’s been their most consistent hitter all season long.
“Sometimes places are home. This is his home,” manager Terry Francona said. “I understand why he left. I probably would have, too. But to get him back, I think he was happy and he knew we were happy. It worked out well for everybody. We’re thrilled to have him back.”
Santana has helped keep the Indians afloat during the first half of the season. The team dealt with injuries to multiple veterans including Francisco Lindor, Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco and Mike Clevinger.
One player from the host team has participated in the derby in each of the last six seasons. Todd Frazier won the 2015 Home Run Derby in Cincinnati as a member of the Reds and Bryce Harper won last year's Home Run Derby in Washington when he was playing for the Nationals.
Santana is trying to become the first Indians player to win the home run contest. Grady Sizemore hit six homers in the 2008 derby. He was the last Indians player to participate. They’re one of 11 organizations that have never had a player win the derby.
Here are the players confirmed by Major League Baseball who will participate in the 2019 Derby at Progressive Field.
Carlos Santana - Cleveland Indians
Christian Yelich - Milwaukee Brewers
Josh Bell - Pittsburgh Pirates
Vladamir Guerrero Jr. - Toronto Blue Jays
Pete Alonso - New York Mets
Ronald Acuna Jr. - Atlanta Braves
Alex Bregman - Houston Astros
Joc Pederson - Los Angeles Dodgers
Look at the full bracket here.
