If the Major League Baseball players-only T-Mobile Home Run Derby on Monday is the Taylor Swift Eras Tour concert, then HAIM would be the opening act for the MLB-USA Baseball High School Home Run Derby on Saturday.
Major League Baseball has invited some of the top high school hitters in the nation to compete in a long ball tournament since 2013. The two winners are then asked to take swings during the main event on Monday.
The 10th iteration of the competition, which is scheduled for Saturday, July 8, at 11 a.m. PT (2 p.m. ET), will include eight artists and will be broadcast live on MLB.com:
Konnor Griffin, OF, Jackson Preparatory (Florence, Miss.): Griffin is a 6-foot-4 right-handed batter with incredible bat speed and all-around tools. He is one of the greatest players in the class. He changed his major, and LSU has his commitment.
Jaydon Kea, C, Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus (Kapolei, HI): Backstop Kea is known for his bat flips and walk-offs in the Little League World Series. On the swing, there is a ton of power and lift. His loyalty is to Vanderbilt.
PJ Morlando, OF, Summerville (S.C.) HS: He may have the finest bat-to-ball skills and raw power in the class because of his straightforward setup and powerful left-side contact.
Andre Modugno, 3B, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.): This 6-foot-5 recruit to Duke is incredibly athletic. His game has some swing and miss but he has plus-plus power potential.
MLB Develops shared a tweet about The 2023 High School HR Derby arriving on Saturday, July 8th:
The 2023 High School HR Derby arrives at @TMobilePark on Saturday July 8th🔥
Live stream on https://t.co/6RqFS2pbSV begins at 11 AM PDT‼️ pic.twitter.com/rOhvlWySmD
— MLBDevelops (@MLBDevelops) June 30, 2023
Nick Montgomery, C, Cypress (Calif.) HS: At 6-foot-4 and big for a catcher, Montgomery has an open stance and a leg kick from the right side of the plate. He has committed to Arizona State. His lightning-fast hands translate into excellent bat speed.
Dante Nori, OF, Northville (Mich.) HS: Despite having a reputation for being a hit-over-power type and a terrific athlete who runs well, this Mississippi State recruit’s ability to regularly barrel up the baseball could play in his favour.
Samuel Richardson, 3B/OF, Lewisburg HS (Olive Branch, Mo.): Richardson has a strong power profile and is often compared to Manny Machado because of his open stance and setup. The Missouri prospect waggles his bat to release great bat strength and speed.
Here you can also look up the other news articles on our website, read:
- Student S*xual Assault: Kentwood Schools’ Failure Alleged In Lawsuit
- Ex-Student Gets 16-plus Years For 2022 Las Vegas High School Teacher Attαck
- Summer School Program Director In San Mateo Arrested For Child S*x Abuse
Noah Sheffield, SS, Tampa (Fla.) Jesuit: The characteristic stance and bat wiggle may be recognizable to Gary fans. The younger Sheffield also has bat speed, which could be advantageous. He has Florida State on his heart.
Keeping track of these participants for the next Draft and beyond is crucial. Numerous significant leaguers, including Alex Verdugo, Josh Naylor, Hunter Greene, Royce Lewis, Nolan Gorman, Bobby Witt Jr., and Riley Greene, have taken their hacks for the previous nine editions.
Max Clark, the No. 5 Draft prospect, and Aidan Miller, the No. 13, played in last year’s event, and both are anticipated to be selected in the first round of the 2019 Draft.
Elijah Green and Termarr Johnson, selected fourth and fifth overall in the 2017 Draft, took their hacks in 2021.
Here is the complete list of previous winners:
2022: Aidan Miller
2021: Jared Jones and Sal Stewart (tie)
2019: Blaze Jordan
2018: Bobby Witt Jr.
2017: Nolan Gorman
2016: Nick Brueser
2015: Andrew Yerzy and Ron Washington Jr. (tie)
2014: Luken Baker
2013: Jake Gatewood
Patricia Gault is a seasoned journalist with years of experience in the industry. She has a passion for uncovering the truth and bringing important stories to light. Patricia has a sharp eye for detail and a talent for making complex issues accessible to a broad audience. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a commitment to accuracy and impartiality, earning a reputation as a reliable and trusted source of news.