Orioles Manager Brandon Hyde: 'Anthony Santander Belongs in All-Star Game, Home Run Derby'

Brandon Hyde has watched his Baltimore Orioles smack 139 homers already this season, the most in the majors. He has one player already committed to the Home Run Derby, shortstop Gunnar Henderson, but he also thinks Anthony Santander has earned a spot.

Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Anthony Santander (right) celebrates with shortstop Gunnar Henderson (2) after hitting a home run in the playoffs a year ago. / Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

SEATTLE — No one had a better view of Anthony Santander's huge month of June than Baltimore manager Brandon Hyde, and he's sure of one thing. Well, two, actually.

Hyde believes that Santander, the Orioles outfielder who hit 13 home runs in June and has 22 on the season, belongs in the All-Star Game in Texas in two weeks. And it's obvious, Hyde said, that Santander also should join teammate Gunnar Henderson in the Home Run Derby as well during the All-Star festivities.

"I'd love to see him in the game, can we advocate for that? I'd love to see him in Texas,'' Hyde said before Tuesday night's game against the Seattle Mariners. "Derby, Game, both. That was one of the best months I've ever seen, what he just did. The way he played defense, what he's done with the bat. He's got huge power, so the Derby would be right up his alley. He's played like an All-Star all season.''

Henderson, who has 26 homers, committed to the Home Run Derby on Sunday. It's on Monday night, July 15, at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The field will be announced later this week.

The Orioles lead all of baseball in home runs, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see them represented by more than one slugger. The Orioles hit 60 homers in June, and have 139 on the season heading into Tuesday's action. The New York Yankees are second with 123. Only four teams have more than 100 on the season. The Los Angeles Dodgers (113) and New York Mets (104) are the others.

Related stories on Baltimore Orioles

• SANTANDER'S RECORD MONTH: With the month of June now behind us, we take a look back at the historic month of Baltimore Orioles' slugger Anthony Santander. CLICK HERE

• HENDERSON SAYS YES: Baltimore Orioles' shortstop Gunnar Henderson confirmed on Sunday that he will participate in the upcoming Home Run Derby. If he were to win it, he'd make history on multiple fronts. CLICK HERE

• RECORD MONTH FOR HOMERS: The Baltimore Orioles drubbed the Texas Rangers on Thursday night as they continue to chase down team history in the home run department. CLICK HERE