Mets slugger Pete Alonso to defend title in 2021 Home Run Derby
New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso is ready to defend his crown.
The 26-year-old announced Wednesday via Instagram he will compete in this year's Home Run Derby at Coors Field in Colorado.
Alonso is the reigning Home Run Derby champion, winning the contest in 2019. Major League Baseball did not hold the event in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Florida native outslugged Toronto Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 23-22 in the final round to capture the derby title in 2019, becoming the second rookie to win the event after New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge did so in 2017.
Alonso has only hit 11 home runs so far this year, but he'll still be a threat at Coors Field, where he's launched three homers in six games.
Only Yoenis Cespedes, Prince Fielder and Ken Griffey Jr. have won the Home Run Derby at least twice, so Alonso could join elite company this year.
Los Angeles Angels phenom Shohei Ohtani will also compete in this year's contest. He has an MLB-high 23 home runs.
Guerrero announced earlier this week that he would not compete in this year's event to "refresh mentally" before the second half of the season.
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