Manny Machado Puts Up Valiant Effort in Home Run Derby
Jul 13, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; American League third baseman Manny Machado (13) of the Baltimore Orioles at bat during the 2015 Home Run Derby the day before the MLB All Star Game at Great American Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
Baltimore Orioles’ star third baseman Manny Machado appeared to be in a great position to advance to the second round of the 2015 Home Run Derby, but his opponent had other plans.
This year’s edition of the Home Run Derby was unlike any other we have seen in the past. The eight competitors were formed into a tournament-style bracket and were seeded based on their home run totals for the season. Major League Baseball decided to oust the outs-based system in favor of a timed round. Batters were allowed one 45-second timeout during the four-minute period and were also awarded a 30-second bonus if they hit at least two home runs greater than 425 feet.
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Obviously, this was a trial run, and many people had their doubts, but this was actually one of the more exciting and suspenseful Home Run Derby’s in recent memory.
Machado, who has totaled 19 home runs to this point in the regular season, was pitted against Los Angeles Dodgers rookie centerfielder Joc Pederson, who has gone yard 20 times so far this season.
The lower seed batted first in each matchup, so Manny stepped up to the plate. Throughout the course of Machado’s at-bat, the commentators, Chris Berman, John Kruk and Aaron Boone, often noted that Machado wasn’t a power hitter, meaning he’s not necessarily crushing these balls out of the park. One might think that would put him at a disadvantage in this competition, but it really doesn’t since the competition is not about who hits it the furthest.
Machado hit 12 homers over the course of four-and-a-half minutes, which was pretty impressive. It even helped that Adam Jones delivered some Machado’s Salsa to him during his timeout.
Adam Jones gives Manny Machado some Machado's Salsa during his timeout during 1st round of HR Derby. #Orioles pic.twitter.com/K5eWSph1Cx
— Eduardo A. Encina (@EddieInTheYard) July 14, 2015
Unfortunately for him, though, he was up against a rising star in Pederson. Pederson was hitting some monster bombs with an effortless swinging motion and there was nothing Manny could do about it.
If it’s any consolation, Machado would have beaten out both Josh Donaldson and Albert Pujols with that first-round performance.