Report: Marlins RF Giancarlo Stanton to participate in Home Run Derby

Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton will be a participant in this year's Home Run Derby at Target Field in Minneapolis, Caitlin Swieca of MLB.com reported Saturday.

The news comes less than a week after Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki was named captain of the National League Home Run Derby team. Tulowitzki then reached out to the 2012 All-Star, who said he was on-board with the idea, according to the report:

"I think Stanton's one guy for sure that's going to participate. I think all the fans, that's who everybody's talking about, his humongous power. I think everybody's excited to see him. He's one guy I've reached out to, and he's going to do it."

Stanton has 21 homers entering Saturday's home game vs. Oakland. He had to miss the 2012 All-Star game because of arthroscopic surgery and has never been a participant in the Home Run Derby.

Tulowitzki, who has 173 career home runs, including 18 this season,still has to add others to his team, and although he's exchanged phone calls and texts with potential hitters, he would not mention names, according to Swieca.  

The derby will be held Monday, July 14, a day before the All-Star game.

--Marc Weinreich