Seattle Mariners Rookie Star Julio Rodriguez to Compete in MLB Homerun Derby Monday Night | Sports
LOS ANGELES – All eyes will be on “The J-Rod Show” Monday night when some of Major League Baseball’s best sluggers battle it out in the 2022 Homerun Derby.
Julio Rodriguez, the sensational rookie center fielder for the Seattle Mariners, has burst onto the scene in MLB and has been a catalyst of the Mariners current 14 game winning streak. Now, he has the opportunity to shine on the national stage.
On Monday night, Rodriguez, 21, will look to become just the second Mariner (Griffey Jr.) and third rookie ever to win the Homerun Derby (Aaron Judge in 2019; Pete Alonso 2019).
At the All-Star Break, Rodriguez has a batting average of .275 with 95 hits in 346 plate appearances. The 5-tool rookie from the Dominican Republic has 18 doubles, 16 home runs and 52 runs batted in to go along with 21 stolen bases.
Other participants in this year’s Homerun Derby include two-time defending champion Pete Alonso, Kyle Schwarber, Albert Pujols, Juan Soto, Ronald Acuna Jr., Corey Seager and Jose Ramirez. The official bracket can be seen below.
The 2022 Homerun Derby will be held Monday Night from Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA.
Rodriguez also wants to participate in the 2022 MLB All-Star Game held Tuesday night.