Acuña returns to HR Derby seeking revenge

ATLANTA -- Ronald Acuña Jr. has wowed fans with his tremendous power over the past few years, and he will take center stage again next week when he competes in the T-Mobile Home Run Derby on July 18 at Dodger Stadium. The Braves superstar announced his participation on Instagram on Monday.

• These are the 2022 Home Run Derby participants

Acuña will be competing in the Derby for a second time. The Braves right fielder was eliminated by eventual winner Mets first baseman Pete Alonso -- who has also confirmed his participation in the 2022 Derby -- in the semifinals in 2019. NL East rivals Kyle Schwarber and Juan Soto will also participate, as well as Cardinals legend Albert Pujols. This year's event begins at 8 p.m. ET and will be televised on ESPN.

Acuña will also serve as one of the National League’s starting outfielders during the All-Star Game, which will be played at Dodger Stadium on July 19. The young outfielder gained this honor when he received more votes than any other NL player in Phase 1 of the balloting process for a second straight year. He couldn’t play in last year’s Midsummer Classic after tearing his right ACL on July 10 of that season.

• Here are the 2022 All-Star Game rosters

Acuña has hit 13 homers 450 feet or longer going back to his 2018 rookie season. The Rockies’ C.J. Cron (14) is the only player to trump this total within this span. But Acuña’s homers have averaged 416 ft., which leads the Majors going back to his debut.

• MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard: July 19 on FOX

When Acuña competed in the 2019 Derby, he showed his ability to hit for power to all fields. He totaled 25 homers to eliminate Josh Bell in the first round and then was defeated, 20-19, by Alonso in the second round.

Acuña has hit just eight homers since returning from his injury on April 28. But despite missing last year’s second half and most of this season’s first month, he still entered Sunday as one of 25 Major Leaguers who have hit at least 113 home runs since the start of 2018.

Tickets are now on sale for all the 2022 All-Star Week events. Visit allstargame.com/tickets to find out how you can attend the events in person.