Willson Contreras has had a rollercoaster of a week. On June 30, he got into his second benches-clearing incident in as many series, earned a seven-game suspension for his part in the confrontation and he's been raking since then. He was also named an All-Star for the fourth time in his career.
On July 8, the first baseman officially became the Boston Red Sox's first Home Run Derby participant since 2011. The Derby will take place on July 13 and MLB is woefully short on sluggers willing to play — Contreras joins Jac Caglianone, Ben Rice and Junior Caminero among the confirmed participants.
David Ortiz and Adrián González were Boston's most recent Home Run Derby representatives in 2011. Robinson Canó of the New York Mets won the whole thing with 32 bombs, but González placed a close second with 31. Ortiz won the derby the year prior when All-Star events were held in Anaheim.
If there was ever a year for Contreras to partake in the Derby, it's this one. The veteran is on pace to obliterate his career-best 24 home runs in a single season from 2019. His confidence must be at an all-time high after he's already racked up 20 homers in 87 games with Boston (playing at Fenway Park has certainly helped raise that number).
Willson Contreras becomes Red Sox's first Home Run Derby participant since David Ortiz and Adrián González in 2011
On June 7, the day before the league announced his participation, Contreras essentially volunteered to suit up for the Home Run Derby. He'll already be in Philadelphia for the All-Star Game festivities, why not add another to his calendar?
Contreras announcement comes as he awaits a ruling on his appeal of the seven-game suspension from MLB as a result of his part of the brawl between the Red Sox and Washington Nationals on June 30. Other participants in the fight have already had their appeals decided — Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli will serve five games and Nate Eaton will serve two. Both of their suspensions have already begun while Contreras waits to hear his fate.
Contreras faces stiff competition in this year's derby and the spots aren't even full. Caminero and Rice are tied for fourth in MLB with 26 homers, each. Caglianone only has 14 on the season but his power shouldn't be underestimated. If Contreras can pull off a win, he'll become the second Red Sox to win a home run derby this year, as Wlyer Abreu over the winter won the Pepsi Fesival Jonrón in his native country of Venezuela.
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