Giancarlo Stanton Defeats Todd Frazier In All-Star HR Derby

The All-Star Home Run Derby on Monday night saw a brilliant final-round matchup at Petco Park in San Diego: Chicago White Sox third baseman and defending champion Todd Frazier and Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton.

Giancarlo Stanton Defeats Todd Frazier In All-Star HR Derby

Stanton, 26, ultimately hit 20 homers in the final round to defeat Frazier, who hit 13.

Over the Derby’s three rounds, the Marlins slugger hit a record 61, shattering the single-night mark of 41 by Bobby Abreu in 2005. Stanton’s impressive shots hit the top level of the Western Metal Supply Co. Building in the left-field corner and the top of the batter’s eye in center field. He blasted several balls just below the giant scoreboard high-atop the left-field stands and many others over the bullpens in left-center.

“For sure being on the West Coast and taking the flight out here just for this, you know. I figure it’s a waste if I don’t bring this bad boy home,” Stanton said, hoisting the trophy.

The three-time All-Star is not on the NL roster for Tuesday night’s game at Petco Park after batting .233 with 20 homers and 50 RBIs before the break.

In the final round, 11 of Stanton’s homers surpassed the 440-foot mark. In total, 64 percent (39) of them traveled over 440 feet.

His longest shot was estimated at 497 feet. He hit the eight longest homers of the competition and 20 of the 21 deepest drives.

Stanton led all players last season with an average exit velocity of 98.5 mph– nearly 4 mph ahead of everyone else.

So far in 2016, Stanton is tied for fourth (95.0 mph) and has the six highest single exit velocities recorded.

Although he said he didn’t swing as hard as he generally does during games, there were times when the adrenaline kicked in.

“I’d say I stuck at about 80, 90%,” Stanton said. “When I got a few in a row, I think I kinda bump it up five or 10 percent more when I get ‘em.”

The slugger will have a chance to defend his title at home next year when the Marlins host the All-Star Game.

“That is where I got my childhood memories, watching the Home Run Derby as a kid,” said Stanton, who’s from Los Angeles. “Maybe some kids are watching me. I would like to return that.”

Stanton is baseball’s highest-paid player with a $325 million, 13-year deal. His new hitting coach is home run king Barry Bonds.

Frazier, who is not on this year’s AL All-Star team, was a hometown winner last year with the Cincinnati Reds. He was traded to the White Sox in December.

Stanton, the No. 5 seed in the Derby, hit 24 homers in the first round to eliminate Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano (seven) and 17 in the semifinals to knock out Baltimore Orioles first baseman/outfielder Mark Trumbo (14).

Frazier hit 13 in the first round to beat Carlos Gonzalez (12) of the Colorado Rockies, and 16 in the semifinals to eliminate Adam Duvall (15) of the Cincinnati Reds.

Trumbo, who leads the majors with 28 homers, had two of the most impressive shots of the night, off the scoreboard in left field and onto the top of the Western Metal Building in his semifinal matchup against Stanton.

Full results

First round

No. 1 Mark Trumbo (16 home runs) def. No. 8 Corey Seager (15 HR)

No. 5 Giancarlo Stanton (24 HR) def. No. 4 Robinson Cano (7 HR)

No. 3 Adam Duvall (11 HR) def. No. 6 Wil Myers (10 HR)

No. 2 Todd Frazier (13 HR) def. No. 7 Carlos Gonzalez (12 HR)

Semifinals

Stanton (17 HR) def. Trumbo (14 HR)

Frazier (16 HR) def. Duvall (15 HR)

Final

Stanton (20 HR) def. Frazier (13 HR)

PHOTO: SAN DIEGO, CA – JULY 11: Giancarlo Stanton of the Miami Marlins competes during the T-Mobile Home Run Derby at PETCO Park on July 11, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)

Article by Pablo Mena