Seattle Mariners rookie all-star Julio Rodriguez joins home run derby field

All-star game replaced by pitcher Carlos Roden, DHs JD Martinez, Garrett Cooper MLB

Seattle Mariners rookie outfielder Julio Rodriguez will compete in the All-Star Home Run Derby next Monday at Dodger Stadium.

Rodriguez will be the 14th offender to participate, and only two of them have won: Pete Alonso of the New York Mets in 2019 and Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees in 2017.

Alonso is a two-time winner. Others entering this year’s derby include Ronald Akuna Jr. of the Atlanta Braves, Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals, Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies and Juan Soto of the Washington Nationals.

Two seats remain to be filled for the eight-player field.

Rodriguez announced his entry on social media. The 21-year-old is leading the major league rookies with 15 home runs on Wednesday and is third with a .477 slugging percentage. After being homeless in his first 20 career games and recording the first home run of his career on May 1st.

He is the seventh player in Mariners Club history to take part in a home run derby and the first player since Robinson Cannon in 2016. Hall of Famer Ken Griffi Jr. is the only Mariners player to have won so far.

Rodriguez, who hit .274 with 44 RBIs, 50 runs and 21 stolen bases, was announced as a member of the American League All-Star team on Sunday.

He was ruled out of Wednesday’s day-night doubleheader opener in Washington because he completed his one-game suspension after a June 26 clash with Los Angeles Angeles. He is in lineup for the second game.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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