With a recent statistic showing Giants’ pitcher-slash-power hitter Madison Bumgarner (13 career round-trippers) hitting homers at the same pace as the game’s brightest stars – Bryce Harper and Mike Trout – talk surfaced among the media and the pitchers themselves about participating or conducting their own exhibition at a future mid-summer’s classic.
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Arrieta was asked about his feelings on the derby after picking up two hits and a win in the Cubs 8-2 victory against the Braves.
“I’ll do it for sure”, Bumgarner said last week.
Well okay then, it’s all set.
I don’t know the answer to that, but I’m guessing that Joe Maddon would be all for it, as he’s all about the fun and the experience.
Next up in Jake Arrieta’s bag of tricks is winning the Home Run Derby.
“I think that’d be a treat for everybody”, Syndergaard said.
With Arrieta, it’s all about the adrenaline rush apparently, as he says participating in a derby would be the greatest “adrenaline rush”.
Maddon believes Bumgarner could be a DH in the American League.
Arrieta said swinging for the fences in the All-Star spotlight “would probably be the most adrenalin I would ever have”.
Geez, this guys is serious about wanting to do this, isn’t he?
Major League Baseball has discussed creating a separate event to allow pitchers to compete in a home run hitting contest, ESPN’s Buster Olney reports.
While the Giants had advanced conversations regarding the matter on Sunday, an idea is now floating around surrounding the notion of a potential “pitcher’s derby”. The man is a fierce competitor.
Colon’s reaction likely comes as disappointing news to Noah Syndergaard, who published a tweet Saturday endorsing his rotation mate’s candidacy for a Home Run Derby. “There are some guys that can swing it”. “You talk to a lot of people who don’t like the pitchers to hit, but we love it”. “I think it would add a different dynamic to the All-Star game. I’m going to be in it-don’t let me be in it”.
A three-time All-Star Bumgarner is now tied for the league lead among pitchers with the pair of bombs while tied for the fourth most RBI.
He’ll never know unless he gets the chance to try.
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Saturday: On the day card, take Matt Moore (TB) at home against the Giants off his impressive outing Sunday against Houston here, while the Cards’ Carlos Martinez is also coming off a sharp outing at PIT and has won his last three starts.
