In addition to the usual All-Star game balloting MLB is also running a vote for fans to select the Home Run Derby participants. Albert Pujols is leading the National League and Joe Mauer is leading the American League.
Mauer and Pujols both hit five homers in the opening round of the Home Run Derby last year before Pujols prevailed in a “swing-off” that knocked Mauer out. However, last year Mauer showed by far the most power of his career with 28 homers, including 15 at the All-Star break. This year? Mauer has just three homers, which ranks tied for 196th in MLB.
Paul Konerko, Miguel Cabrera, and Jose Bautista are tied for the MLB lead with 20 long balls and 84 different guys are already in double-digits, so Mauer’s single-digit total is going to look awfully weird as an on-screen graphic when he’s swinging for the fences alongside the actual power hitters.
Phils’ Hoskins tears knee, expected to miss significant time
Dave Nelson/USA TODAY Sports
CLEARWATER, Fla. — Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins needs surgery for a torn ACL after injuring his left knee Thursday fielding a grounder in a spring training game and is expected to miss a significant amount of time.
The Phillies did not say when Hoskins would have the surgery or exactly how long the slugging first baseman might be sidelined.
Hoskins hit 30 homers with 79 RBIs last season for the reigning National League champions.
He was backing up to play a chopper on Thursday when the ball popped out of his glove. Sooner after, he fell to the ground and began clutching his left knee. Teammates gathered around him before he was taken off of the field.
Hoskins, a free agent at the end of the season who turned 30 last week, hit six homers in Philadelphia’s playoff run last season. The Phillies lost to the Houston Astros in the World Series.
The injury was another blow for the Phillies, who will be without top pitching prospect Andrew Painter for another few weeks because of a sprained ligament in his right elbow. And slugger Bryce Harper isn’t expected back until around the All-Star break after undergoing Tommy John surgery in November.