First 6 names confirmed for HR Derby field

The field for the 2019 T-Mobile Home Run Derby is starting to come into focus. The following players are set to participate in the contest, which will be held on July 8 at Progressive Field.

The full eight-player field and bracket will be revealed on ESPN at 10 p.m. ET on Wednesday.

Carlos Santana, Indians

Before he makes his first All-Star Game appearance as the starting first baseman for the American League, Santana will try to become the first Indians player to win the Home Run Derby -- and the fourth player overall to do so at his home park. Santana entered Sunday with a career-high .947 OPS and 18 homers in 348 plate appearances this season.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays

Less than three months into his Major League career, Guerrero will have a chance to put his impressive power on display on a big stage at the Home Run Derby. The 20-year-old will be the youngest player ever to participate in the contest. He could also make franchise history by becoming the first Blue Jays player to win it.

Guerrero, son of Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero, will be 20 years, 114 days old for the Derby, 116 days younger than Ken Griffey Jr. was for the 1990 showcase. The younger Guerrero was there when his father won the event in San Francisco in 2007.

Bryce Harper is the only other 20-year-old to participate in the Derby.

Christian Yelich, Brewers

Last year’s National League MVP Award winner has somehow been even better in 2019. Yelich is already just seven home runs away from tying his 2018 mark of 36, a career high. He’ll look to become the second Brewers player to win the Home Run Derby, joining Prince Fielder (2009).

Pete Alonso, Mets

Alonso has shown prodigious power in his first MLB campaign, eclipsing the Mets rookie record previously held by Darryl Strawberry when he went deep for the 27th time on June 23. The first baseman, who would become the first Mets player to win the Home Run Derby outright (Strawberry and Wally Joyner were co-champions in 1986), has hit more 400-foot homers (20) than anyone in the Majors this season.

Josh Bell, Pirates

After hitting just 12 home runs over 148 games in 2018, Bell has arrived as an elite power source for Pittsburgh this season -- slugging 22 homers in his first 310 at-bats. That total includes an MLB-leading five homers of more than 450 feet. Like Santana, Guerrero and Acuña, Bell will attempt to become the first player in franchise history to take home the Derby crown.

Ronald Acuña Jr., Braves

Coming off a power-packed NL Rookie of the Year campaign in which he hit 26 homers in just 433 at-bats, Acuna has shown that was no fluke, slugging 20 long balls in 339 at-bats through Sunday's action. A Derby win for Acuna would be the first by a Braves player.