Michael Connor: The Astros Insider

Michael Connor: The Astros Insider

Michael Connor grew up listening to Houston's SportsTalk 790 and always dreamed of being on the mic one day talking about the teams. A fifth...Full Bio

 

Connor: Do Not Fear Yordan Alvarez Participating In The Home Run Derby

Kansas City Royals v Houston Astros

Photo: Getty Images

The Astros will be well represented at the All-Star Game this season as the league hits Hollywood for their mid-summer showcase. With the American League squad being coached by the Astros staff, it is probably safe to assume that at least four players will be representing the Astros in the game, possibly five. 

In an atmosphere that will be electric as the Astros will be boo’d for their every move in Dodger Stadium, nothing would be a bigger shove it moment to the Dodgers fanbase than them having to watch Yordan Alvarez hit bombs in front of them all night long in the derby. 

There is a weird myth among fans and some players that a home run derby will ruin your swing. Yes there are plenty of examples of guys having a brutal second half of their season after participating, but more often than not players do just as well as they did before taking part in this midsummer tradition. 

The sport of baseball needs every reason for the game to grow and having one of your best power hitters in the game participate, would be a massive win. If you find yourself worried about it changing Yordan’s swing and sending his season in a spiral, I would tell you that you are wasting your time with that thought process. Go watch how Yordan attacks batting practice each day if you get a chance. His power is effortless and more than half of the balls he hits in batting practice end up as home runs. This contest is built for a man like this and should not ruin a swing that already crushes bombs in batting practice and in games. So embrace the Dodgers fans hate and let them remember how silly it was that they traded him to Houston for Josh Fields in 2016, a deal that will forever look like one of the worst in baseball history. Here is to hoping he accepts the invite and sets the baseball world on fire once again.

Keep up with all things Astros by checking out the latest edition of the Crawford Box-Cast, brought to you by Karbach Brewing.


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