Brusa wins All-Star Home Run Derby

OGDEN, Utah -- Down to his final out, Giants sixth-round pick Gio Brusa crushed a walk-off blast to win All-Star Home Run Derby for the Northwest League. Hometown fans cheered for Ogden's Ibandel Isabel, whose two homers in the finals were not enough for the Pioneer League.

"It was really fun and it's an honor to be in it," said Brusa, the Giants' No. 30 prospect. I just thank God for the opportunity."

Brusa, representing the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes and starting the All-Star Game in left field, has four regular-season homers but has never hit a walk-off. He did win a home run derby in the collegiate Alaskan Baseball League in 2013.

The switch-hitter, who turned 23 last week, was tied for the Northwest League lead at 10-10 with Eugene's Chris Pieters after the first round, but edged the Cubs prospect in a swing-off, 3-2.

"Actually, it went into a swing-off in Alaska as well, so kind of funny how that works, how it goes full circle," Brusa said.

Batting from the left side, he put the Derby winner over the tall fence in right-center at Lindquist Field. Before the contest, he still wasn't sure which side of the plate he would choose. Ultimately, the Pacific University product's choice paid off.

"Yeah, it did. Always good to have the option," he said.

Also competing for the Northwest League were Boise's Jacob Bosiokovic and Everett's Eric Filia. Joining Isabel on the Pioneer League squad were Idaho Falls' Meibrys Viloria, Ogden's Mitchell Hansen and Missoula's Ryan January.

The Northwest League evened the score against the Pioneer League, which won the first interleague home run derby last year on the strength of Luke Lowery's bat.