Early favorite to win 2023 Home Run Derby hardly a surprise

Eight of the sport's best sluggers are set to take to Seattle's T-Mobile Park for the 2023 Home Run Derby, and a two-time champion is the early favorite to win. However, the path to victory may not be quite so easy for Pete Alonso this time. 

The Home Run Derby will take place Monday night, July 10, at 8 p.m. ET. 

Alonso being tabbed as the early favorite — DraftKings has him at +310 odds — shouldn't come as a surprise. The New York Mets first baseman is one of the most accomplished hitters in derby history, hitting 174 total home runs over three events, which puts him well ahead of Albert Pujols, who is second (106 homers in five events). 

Having won in both 2019 and 2021 (there was no event in 2020 due to the pandemic-shortened season), Alonso is seeking to become just the second player to win the Home Run Derby a third time, joining Ken Griffey Jr. 

The opening matchup between Alonso and Julio Rodriguez will certainly be one to watch. Rodriguez used last year's Home Run Derby performance as a springboard to national recognition. He mashed 30+ home runs in each of the opening rounds, including 31 to eliminate Alonso and reach the finals, before losing to Juan Soto in the end. 

Home Run Derby seeding is based on a player's home run total this season through July 4. Ties were broken based on which player has more home runs since June 15 (which is why Luis Robert is the top seed over Alonso). The seeding and opening matchups are as follows: 

• (1) Luis Robert Jr. vs. (8) Adley Rutschman
• (2) Pete Alonso vs. (7) Julio Rodriguez
• (3) Mookie Betts vs. (6) Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
• (4) Adolis Garcia vs. (5) Randy Arozarena

Of the group, only Alonso, Rodriguez and Guerrero have participated in the event previously.