Inside The Orioles

Baltimore Orioles Star Slugger Urged to Give Home Run Derby Another Shot

The Baltimore Orioles slugger is a favorite to take center stage at the 2024 Home Run Derby.

Dylan Sanders

Jun 9, 2024; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman (35) hits an rbi single against the Tampa Bay Rays in the third inning at Tropicana Field.
Jun 9, 2024; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman (35) hits an rbi single against the Tampa Bay Rays in the third inning at Tropicana Field. / Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
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Just over a year ago, one of the Baltimore Orioles sluggers became a fan favorite at the Home Run Derby.

Could he run it back this year for a shot at the crown?

As MLB.com's Andrew Simon assessed the league's power hitters to find who should participate in the 2024 Home Run Derby, he urged Adley Rutschman to run it back.

Rutchsman was included in the group of players that was labled "past competitors looking for more."

The catcher was not able to get past the first round a year ago, but he was not eliminated without putting on a show.

He hit 27 long balls while also attacking from both sides of the plate in a single round.

He was tasked with going up against Luis Robert Jr. who hit 28 and took him out.

Robert would go on to get eliminated by Tampa Bay Rays slugger Randy Arozarena who smashed an absurd 35. Toronto Blue Jays superstar Vladimir Guerrero Jr. went on to win the whole thing.

Rutschman is a virtual lock to make the All-Star game at this point, so it would be fun to see him compete given that he'll already be in town.

He's in the midst of a career-best season in pretty much every regard, currently slugging .297/.350/.470 with 14 home runs. He's outpacing himself by 10 homers at this point a year ago.

The 26-year-old only left the yard once in the past two weeks, though, so it would be nice to see him have a chance to find his power again in prep for the Derby.

Star Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson was also encouraged to take the stage, as someone who has excelled at leaving the yard this season.

He's already up to 26 homers this year, whereas he hit 28 in all of last season. The MVP candidate is slashing .288/.387/.618. It would be a pleasure to see him in the competition.

"Henderson and [Bobby Witt] are currently locked in a battle to be the AL's starting shortstop in the All-Star Game. So it would be fun to see them go head to head in the Derby as well," said Simon.

No matter which player gets the nod for Baltimore, they will be a favorite to take the crown.

As a whole, the team leads all MLB with 132 home runs this season. The New York Yankees are a bit behind in second place with 118.

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Dylan Sanders

DYLAN SANDERS

Dylan Sanders graduated from Louisiana State University with a degree from the Manship School of Mass Communication in 2023. He was born in raised in Baton Rouge, LA but has also lived in Buffalo, NY. Though he is a recent graduate, he has been writing about sports since he was in high school, covering different sports from baseball to football. While in college, he wrote for the school paper The Reveille and for 247Sports. He was able cover championships in football, baseball and women's basketball during his time at LSU. He has also spent a few years covering the NFL draft and every day activities of the New Orleans Saints. He is a Senior Writer at Inside the Marlins and will also be found across Sports Illustrated's baseball sites as a contributing writer. You can follow him on Twitter or Instagram @dillysanders

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