Atlanta Braves’ Marcell Ozuna to ‘put on a show’ at this year’s Home Run Derby – WABE

“The Big Bear” is hoping to hit Texas-sized home runs this month. Atlanta Braves designated hitter Marcell Ozuna confirmed Monday that he will participate in the Home Run Derby during MLB’s All-Star Week festivities.

“This is a huge moment for me and my family and I’m beyond excited to be able to put on a show for the fans,” Ozuna wrote on Instagram. “@braves Country you guys have been amazing and I promise to continue giving you everything I’ve got in Texas!”

Ozuna joined the Braves in 2020. He is tied for fourth in major league home runs this season with 23. Ozuna also made the All-Star team as a backup alongside Braves pitchers Chris Sale and Reynaldo Lopez.

Pete Alonso of the New York Mets, Bobby Witt Jr. of Kansas City, Gunnar Henderson of Baltimore and Alec Bohm of Philadelphia have also committed to the July 15 event at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The All-Star Game will be played the following day.

Alonso made the announcement on Instagram on Sunday night. He will attempt to win the derby for the third time.

Ken Griffey Jr. is the only three-time champion of the derby, which began in 1985, winning in 1994, 1998 and 1999.

Alonso won the competition in 2019 as a rookie at Progressive Field in Cleveland, beating Toronto’s Vladimir Guerrero 23-22 in the final round, and again in 2021 at Coors Field in Denver, beating Baltimore’s Trey Mancini by the same score. There was no derby in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

WABE’s Patrick Saunders contributed to this report.

AP Major League Baseball: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb