Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Doesn’t Think Mookie Betts Will Win the Home Run Derby
One of the highlights of the all-star week is getting to watch players like Pete Alonso and Aaron Judge hit mammoth home runs seemingly pitch after pitch.
There is a new face to the derby this year, and it seems like Mookie Betts isn't favored by many, including his own manager, to win.
“I applaud him for doing it,” Roberts said. “Mookie hits homers in games. That’s why he’s up there on the leaderboard. But the physicality of hitting rounds and rounds of home runs – I kind of equate it to old-school Larry Bird in the 3-point contest. Larry Bird could shoot a set shot around the 3-point line and other guys used to have to shoot a jump shot. As you keep going and going, you lose your legs. Even if Mookie has a big first round and advances, it takes a lot for a guy that’s not as physical.“I hope he does well. I’m not betting on him.”
via OC Register
Mookie has already hit 20 home runs this season, after coming off of a career high 35 homers last year. But his home runs usually come right away.
Betts has 44 career leadoff home runs, which puts him eighth all time, and he's only one of three active players in the top ten on the list.
He's hit eight lead off home runs this year, but in order to go deep in the derby, you need to consistently be able to smash home runs.
While I will be rooting for Mookie, I also think he's not going to make it that far compared to some of the other names that might be in the derby.
