PHOENIX – On July 15, Marcell Ozuna will step up to the plate and take center stage, where the baseball world will watch him do something he does better than most: Hit home runs.
Ozuna on Monday announced he will compete in the July 15 Home Run Derby as part of the festivities surrounding the July 16 All-Star Game at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Ozuna joins the Orioles’ Gunnar Henderson, the Mets’ Pete Alonso, the Phillies’ Alec Bohm and the Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. as players who have committed to the event so far.
Ozuna said he chose José Yépez, one of Atlanta’s two bullpen catchers, to throw to him in the Home Run Derby. Ozuna, who on Sunday received the third All-Star nod of his career, will try to become the first Brave to win the annual event.
“It’s just like batting practice with a clock,” Ozuna said of the event. “We’re just going to have fun and compete. Compete. I told Yeppy, ‘Don’t get too excited. Throw it right down the middle and I’m going to hit it anywhere.’”
Ozuna made his announcement on social media. He wrote: “Excited to announce my official participation in the @tmobile Home Run Derby. This is a big moment for me and my family and I’m beyond excited to put on a show for the fans. @braves Country you have been amazing and I promise to continue to give you guys my all in Texas! Expect some BIG FLYS as I continue to embrace this moment and journey with you all.”
Entering Monday, Ozuna’s 23 homers were tied for fourth in the majors and second in the National League. He’s one of the game’s top sluggers. He’s built for an event like this – one that requires hitters to, well, blast the most homers.
“Yeah, it’s gonna be exciting,” Ozuna said. " …I’ve been there watching my teammates doing it, so I’m trying to do it this year and see how cool it’s gonna be – especially for my kids. They’re gonna have that experience and be able to bring me some towels and water.”
Added Braves manager Brian Snitker: “Yeah, he’s a pretty good one (for that event), other than maybe Ronald (Acuña Jr.), when he just kind of fires balls out all over the place. …I’m glad he’s doing it. He’s gonna have a lot of fun. He’s experienced it before. I’m happy for him if he wants to do that. That’s awesome.”
This year’s Derby will follow a different format from previous years: The top four hitters from an eight-player pool will advance to the semifinals, which will be a bracket-style round determined by each participant’s Round 1 home run totals. The top two will then face off in the finals.
Ozuna cannot wait to put on a show.
“It’s cool when you’re doing batting practice,” he said. “Some young kids watching it yell and say, ‘Oh! Oh my God! Look’ It’s fun. It’s totally fun. It’s gonna be a new experience for me, too.”
Ozuna said he’s not concerned about messing up his swing competing in the event. He said he’ll go through his regular hitting routine on Thursday during the All-Star break, and then again on Friday before the first game of the second half.
Ronald Acuña Jr. has participated in two recent Home Run Derbys. He lost in the semifinals to Alonso in 2019, and Alonso eliminated Acuña in the first round in 2022.
Other Braves to participate in the Home Run Derby are Dale Murphy (1985), Ozzie Virgil (1987), David Justice (1993), Fred McGriff (1994), Chipper Jones (1997-98, 2000), Javy Lopez (1998), Gary Sheffield (2003), Andruw Jones )2005) and Freddie Freeman (2019, 2022).
Ozuna is ready.
“The most important thing is you hit a homer and the whole world can see you,” Ozuna said. “It’s going to be a show, so you’re going to have fun no matter what – even if you lose. You’re gonna be battling against big guys that hit homers the whole season.”
