Who did sluggers pick to pitch in Derby?

Who did sluggers pick to pitch in Derby?

July 14th, 2018

From family members to longtime instructors, find out who these star sluggers picked to pitch to them at Nationals Park in the T-Mobile Home Run Derby, on Monday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.
:: Complete Home Run Derby coverage ::
1.
A trip to the MLB All-Star Game will be a new experience for Brewers first-base coach Carlos Subero, who's never participated in a home run derby of any kind before. But his selection as Aguilar's pitcher is all about familiarity, with two years of experience pitching to the Milwaukee first baseman in batting practice.
"He's been throwing BP for me for almost two years," Aguilar said. "So he kind of knows me good. That's why I chose him." More >

2.
As he promised earlier in his career, Harper is returning to this year's Derby because of its location: Washington's slugger was waiting for the event to be held at Nationals Park. Harper made official on Monday what most expected: He will call on his father, Ron, to help him capture his first Derby crown.
Harper credits his father for helping shape his swing as a youngster in Las Vegas. The two paired up on the national stage once before, in the 2013 Derby at Citi Field. That year, the 20-year-old Harper became the youngest player to ever reach a Derby final, before losing to .

3.
Muncy will borrow Dodgers hitting coach Turner Ward from Dave Roberts' National League coaching staff for the Derby. Ward, 53, played 12 years in the Majors with the Indians, Blue Jays, Brewers, Pirates and D-backs from 1990-2001.
Ward has worked closely with Muncy since his call up to the big leagues and Dodgers debut on April 17.

4.
Longtime Astros bullpen catcher Javier Bracamonte joins the contingent of Astros representatives heading to Washington for the All-Star festivities and will throw to Bregman. He threw All-Star Game BP to Andruw Jones and Jason Bay in Detroit in 2005 and in '06 in Pittsburgh.
"He'll have fun with it," Astros manager AJ Hinch said. "They picked a personality. There's some upside to him because he can put on a show. There's a downside for him if he doesn't put up numbers. There's a group of guys in here that'll probably be paying attention. He'll have fun with it." More >

5.
Mike Sinicola, a real estate agent who played baseball at the University of Miami and has thrown batting practice for Schwarber in Tampa, Fla., will pitch to the Cubs outfielder in the Derby.
Schwarber will take swings with a special red, white and blue bat with his Neighborhood Heroes foundation's logo. More >

6.
The Home Run Derby will be a family affair for Baez, who will take pitches from his older brother Gadiel, 27.
"The family wants to be there. I asked him. He wasn't coming [to the All-Star Game] because he just had a baby, too, and he's been really busy. As soon as I told him [about the Home Run Derby], he was really excited." More >

7. Freddie Freeman
Braves infield instructor Tomas Perez will pitch to Freeman during the Home Run Derby. Freeman has simply grown comfortable with Perez, who became his primary BP pitcher after joining Atlanta's staff on Opening Day. Perez spent portions of 12 Major League seasons (1995-2008) serving as a utility man for four different clubs -- the Blue Jays, Phillies, Rays and Astros. He faced just two batters when he made his only career pitching appearance during the Phillies' 17-3 loss to the Astros on May 13, 2002. Jeff Bagwell reached via an error and Jason Lane hit a lazy fly to end the eighth inning.

8.
"I think [Minor League infield coordinator] Chris Truby is going to throw to me. He throws a good batting practice. We obviously have a really good relationship spending a lot of time together in the Minor Leagues. And, yeah, he throws money BP."