Cal League Home Run Derby Contestants Announced
VISALIA, CA- The Visalia Rawhide announced today the eight players that will represent their teams in the California League Home Run Derby on June 19th at Rawhide Ballpark. Tenth-ranked MLB and top-ranked Colorado Rockies prospect Brendan Rodgers, Cal League home run leader Ibandel Isabel, and Visalia Rawhide All-Star Marty Herum
VISALIA, CA- The Visalia Rawhide announced today the eight players that will represent their teams in the California League Home Run Derby on June 19th at Rawhide Ballpark. Tenth-ranked MLB and top-ranked Colorado Rockies prospect
Each hitter will be given two minutes to hit as many home runs as he can in a bracket-style tournament. The representatives of the four South Division teams will square off against each other, followed by the North Division sluggers in the opening round. After each division holds their second round, the two division champions will square off to decide the California League's top home run hitter.
"We're excited to put a twist on the traditional home run derby this year by having each player represent their team in a tournament," said Rawhide General Manager Jennifer Reynolds. "The group of players that has been selected to represent their team and division should put on an outstanding show for all fans in attendance."
Rodgers, who is putting together a career year at the plate, was the first-round draft pick, third overall, of the Rockies in 2015 and will hit for the Lancaster Jethawks. He blasted 19 home runs with Class-A Ashville last season and, as he approaches the All-Star break this season, he already has hit 11 while maintaining a .404 batting average.
Herum is making his third Mid-Season All-Star appearance in the past four seasons and has hit 4 home runs for Visalia this year. He has tremendous gap-to-gap power, leads the league with 22 doubles, and ranks in the league's top four with a .498 slugging percentage.
Isabel, the 21-year-old first-baseman from the Dominican Republic, leads the California league with 15 home runs in 61 games played and will represent the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. His home run production this season has already surpassed his total from last season (12) and has nearly doubled his career total to 38.
The representative of the Lake Elsinore Storm will be 19-year old first-baseman
The San Jose Giants will rest their Derby hopes on the shoulders of
The Modesto Nuts will be represented by
The Home Run Derby will take place as the grand finale of the All-Star Fan Fest, which will take place at Recreation Park in Visalia on Monday, June 19th. The Groppetti Automotive Fan Fest will also include the Lions International Charity Beep Baseball Game to benefit the Tulare Blind Babies Foundation, the In-N-Out Burger High School Hitting Challenge where seven local high school baseball and softball players will compete to win scholarship money, and the All-Star Skills Challenge. The Skills Challenge will feature Cal-League All-Stars alongside fans competing in such events as a lemon throwing contest, a chicken chase for speed, precision lasso roping, and the traditional Visalia Cow Milking Contest.
Visalia will host the California League All-Star Game and Fan Fest for the first time in 28 years on June 19th and 20th. For tickets and more information visit Rawhidebaseball.com or call 559-732-4433. You can follow the Rawhide on Twitter (@VisaliaRawhide), Facebook (TheRawhide), Instagram (@visaliarawhide) and Snap Chat (visaliarawhide). Players denoted with an asterisk will not participate in the All-Star festivities.