Yermin Mercedes has had quite the rookie season for the White Sox. Jordan Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

White Sox rookie Yermin Mercedes wants in Home Run Derby

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Jun 7, 2021 6:20 PM ET

Back in April, New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso admitted he wants to defend the 2019 Home Run Derby title he won at Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland at this year's All-Star festivities held at Coors Field in Colorado after last year's Midsummer Classic was scrapped due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chicago White Sox rookie Yermin Mercedes, who crushed a 485-foot homer earlier this season, recently told the official MLB website he'd like to compete against Alonso and other would-be challengers.

"I want to be there," Mercedes said of the upcoming Derby, per Scott Merkin. "[MLB], hear me right now. I want to be in the HR Derby for sure. I want to show my fans and everybody I can hit homers.

"Yes, yes, I want to be there."

Following the weekend's action, Mercedes is batting .292 with seven home runs and 31 RBI, and he's left no doubt this spring he can take slow pitches deep during meaningful action and, presumably, a home run battle:

At the very least, the 28-year-old wouldn't have to worry about violating any "unwritten rules" during a Home Run Derby.

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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