Home Run Derby Prediction

The 2012 State Farm Home Run Derby is tonight. Since it is tonight, I'd like to give a quick preview and prediction.

The Participants
Prince Fielder: Detroit Tigers
Fielder is definitely the favorite as he won in 2009. He is also the biggest name in the field. Fielder will look to be the 2nd repeat winner.

Robinson Cano: New York Yankees
Cano is the reigning champ. He will also look to be the repeat winner.

Jose Bautista: Toronto Blue Jays
Came out of nowhere to become an overnight success a few years back. Now one of the league's top sluggers.

Matt Kemp: Los Angeles Dodgers
Kemp is returning from injury. Before his injury, Kemp was playing like the best player in all of baseball. Will he be 100% tonight? Will it matter?

Mark Trumbo: Los Angeles Angels
A new participant and one of the best stories of 2012. Trumbo has 22 homers at the break.

Carlos Beltran: St. Louis Cardinals

Beltran is one of baseball's biggest names. However, has never participated in the derby.



Carlos Gonzalez: Colorado Rockies

CarGo is also new to the derby.

Andrew McCutchen: Pittsburgh Pirates

McCutchen is the most intriguing derby entrant in my opinion. He was a late addition and we are lucky for it.

Opinion of the Field
NO Papi!
I like the field a lot. I would have liked to see hometown guy Billy Butler and my boy Adam Jones, but it is a solid field.

What Happens?
Andrew McCutchen is very intriguing because he is so small, but I don't see him getting out of the 1st round. The real question is how Kemp does coming off the injury.
I have Fielder, Cano, Kemp, and Trumbo getting out of round 1.
After that I have Kemp and Trumbo in the finals.
Trumbo wins.
Griffey remains the only multiple year winner.

-Noland

MLB All-Star Balloting Through 6/5

Here are the All-Star balloting totals through 6/5. It is an absolute crime that Adam Jones is not in the top 3. There are some other noticeable omissions. However, the AL OF is stacked and the leading vote getter definitely deserves it. Looks like the fans love the Rangers. In a couple days, I will vote for the all-star game and disclose my ballot. Voting is currently open on mlb.com

AMERICAN LEAGUE
FIRST BASE
Prince Fielder, Tigers: 1,027,070
Mark Teixeira, Yankees: 697,602
Paul Konerko, White Sox: 671,430
Mitch Moreland, Rangers: 618,226
Albert Pujols, Angels: 478,020

SECOND BASE
Ian Kinsler, Rangers: 1,447,171
Robinson Cano, Yankees: 1,164,448
Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox: 699,422
Robert Andino, Orioles: 317,434
Chris Getz, Royals: 278,585

THIRD BASE
Adrian Beltre, Rangers: 1,179,864
Miguel Cabrera, Tigers: 886,365
Evan Longoria, Rays: 789,434
Alex Rodriguez, Yankees: 657,315
Mike Moustakas, Royals: 432,379

SHORTSTOP
Derek Jeter, Yankees: 1,698,777
Elvis Andrus, Rangers: 1,033,986
J.J. Hardy, Orioles: 489,941
Alcides Escobar, Royals: 392,195
Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians: 344,065

CATCHER
Mike Napoli, Rangers: 1,224,565
Matt Wieters, Orioles: 713,469
Joe Mauer, Twins: 637,364
Russell Martin, Yankees: 431,435
A.J. Pierzynski, White Sox: 424,646

DESIGNATED HITTER
David Ortiz, Red Sox: 1,204,904
Michael Young, Rangers: 1,049,170
Raul Ibanez, Yankees: 492,183
Billy Butler, Royals: 477,257
Edwin Encarnacion, Blue Jays: 391,131

OUTFIELDERS
Josh Hamilton, Rangers: 2,587,991
Curtis Granderson, Yankees: 1,406,128
Nelson Cruz, Rangers: 992,992
Jose Bautista, Blue Jays: 930,814
Adam Jones, Orioles: 857,543
David Murphy, Rangers: 652,379
Nick Swisher, Yankees: 624,215
Brett Gardner, Yankees: 437,126
Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners: 433,899
Jeff Francoeur, Royals: 422,304
Austin Jackson, Tigers: 389,664
Nick Markakis, Orioles: 384,390
Alex Gordon, Royals: 378,459
Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox: 346,774
B.J. Upton, Rays: 277,173

NATIONAL LEAGUE
FIRST BASE
Joey Votto, Reds: 1,314,516
Lance Berkman, Cardinals: 634,473
Freddie Freeman, Braves: 576,255
Bryan LaHair, Cubs: 391,497
Adam LaRoche, Nationals: 331,772

SECOND BASE
Dan Uggla, Braves: 872,136
Brandon Phillips, Reds: 586,835
Omar Infante, Marlins: 512,049
Rickie Weeks, Brewers: 512,021
Jose Altuve, Astros: 472,292

THIRD BASE
David Wright, Mets: 856,887
David Freese, Cardinals: 824,801
Chipper Jones, Braves: 727,719
Pablo Sandoval, Giants: 648,303
Aramis Ramirez, Brewers: 386,013

SHORTSTOP
Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies: 823,708
Rafael Furcal, Cardinals: 803,254
Starlin Castro, Cubs: 526,811
Jose Reyes, Marlins: 425,682
Alex Gonzalez, Brewers: 399,218

CATCHERS
Yadier Molina, Cardinals: 1,100,048
Buster Posey, Giants: 1,072,464
Brian McCann, Braves: 707,508
Carlos Ruiz, Phillies: 562,021
Jonathan Lucroy, Brewers: 457,590

OUTFIELDERS
Matt Kemp, Dodgers: 1,952,910
Carlos Beltran, Cardinals: 1,212,030
Ryan Braun, Brewers: 1,112,971
Andre Ethier, Dodgers: 827,262
Melky Cabrera, Giants: 714,642
Matt Holliday, Cardinals: 667,544
Jason Heyward, Braves: 515,340
Michael Bourn, Braves: 498,070
Jay Bruce, Reds: 460,853
Andrew McCutchen, Pirates: 457,223
Hunter Pence, Phillies: 446,460
Corey Hart, Brewers: 417,929
Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies: 386,860
Jon Jay, Cardinals: 373,833
Shane Victorino, Phillies: 373,034

-Noland