Inside The Dodgers

Dodgers News: Former LA All-Star Won't Participate in Home Run Derby

Former Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson chooses rest over participating in this years Home Run Derby
Ryan Menzie|
Oct 25, 2020; Arlington, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Joc Pederson (31) hits a home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the second inning in game five of the 2020 World Series at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

In this story:

Los Angeles DodgersSan Francisco Giants

MLB All-Star weekend is quickly approaching with the Home Run Derby still looking to fill two more spots. Former Dodgers All-Star Joc Pederson was invited to participate in this years derby, but chose to sit out this year.

Pederson is no stranger to the weekend activities. As a rookie, Pederson was named to the NL All-Star team and was the first Dodgers rookie position player to be named as a starter. 

Pederson would go on to finish sixth in voting for Rookie of the Year on the way to a second career best 26 home runs and 54 RBI's. With 130 career home runs for the Dodgers, there was no doubt Pederson is a slugger. 

Pederson has also participated in the HR Derby in 2015 and 2019. In 2015 he would make it all the way to the finals before losing to Todd Frazier by one dinger despite tying for the most home runs through the first three rounds (39). In 2019, Pederson lost to Valdamir Guerrero Jr. in the second round. 

Despite being invited, Pederson is choosing to sit out this year due to some neck/back injuries he's been dealing with and would rather rest. With the season he's been having, there is no surprise for the invite. 

For the San Francisco Giants, Pederson is 1 home run away from matching his total from the past two seasons (17) with a .256 batting average. Pederson will not be participating in the derby, but was still announced as an All-Star game starter back in his old home stadium. 

Published
Ryan Menzie
RYAN MENZIE

Ryan Menzie | Lead Contributor Ryan is an LA Native who has grown up praising the greatest athletes LA has had to offer. A love for sports ranging between basketball, football, volleyball and golf, a future Sports Management Masters graduate, and being engulfed into organized sports since seven years old, the passion and love for sports never ends for Ryan. If the words he writes don't paint the full picture of his true fandom, he will find more ways than one to tell the story and be more than willing to open up a nice LA sports debate with you. Favorite Player: Mookie Betts Favorite Moment: 2020 World Series. The Lakers won the NBA title and the Dodgers secured the World Series only a couple of months later. During such a rough time with COVID-19 and such a bleak look at how sports has tried to overcome the circumstances, it was a relief to see the night sky lit up for many nights and a makeshift parade in LA when it seemed like we needed it the most.

Share on XFollow @MenzieRyan
Home/News