Nationals slugger Juan Soto will participate in Home Run Derby

Last season, Washington Nationals slugger Juan Soto put on a show at the Home Run Derby. He crushed 31 home runs to defeat Shohei Ohtani in the first round while blasting a record-setting 520-foot home run at Coors Field.

Now, Soto is coming back for more. According to Talk Nats, Soto will participate in the Home Run Derby for a second consecutive year. ESPN’s Hector Gomez confirmed the report.

The Home Run Derby will be held July 18 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

Soto hammered 46 home runs in total but bowed out to New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso in the finals. It was Alonso’s second consecutive Derby title.

Soto grabbed his second straight All-Star Game nod despite having a down year by his standards. However, he has recently been on a tear. After seeing his average drop as low as .214, Soto has found his stroke at the plate.

In July through nine games, Soto is hitting .458/.618/.875 with three of his 17 home runs.

In additional to Soto, Alonso has been confirmed to be a participate this year, as he looks for a third title. Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. and St. Louis Cardinals legend Albert Pujols will also participate with Alonso and Soto.