Given that we are on the All-Star Break currently, there hasn’t been a ton of fantasy news and notes, but there’s still plenty to talk about. Washington’s Juan Soto, who has become the hottest commodity leading up to the MLB Trade Deadline, became the second-youngest player to ever win the Home Run Derby last night at Dodger Stadium. He beat out rookie sensation Julio Rodríguez, legacy selection Albert Pujols, and MVP Candidate José Ramírez to hoist the trophy. Pete Alonso couldn’t complete this three-peat, but the Polar Bear was seen doing deadlifts in between rounds, which is just amazing. Despite being on the injured list currently, Mike Trout found his way into the news, as he announced that not only will he play in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, but he will serve as a captain for Team USA. 

As we turn our focus to tonight’s MLB All-Star Game, featuring starters Shane McClanahan and Clayton Kershaw, let’s do a quick recap on any news and notes from the Major League Baseball landscape yesterday, as well as put a bow on last night’s Home Run Derby.

 

 


MLB News and Notes from Monday

Juan Soto Wins the 2022 MLB Home Run Derby

 


With last night’s victory, Juan Soto became the second-youngest player to ever win the Home Run Derby. If Julio Rodríguez would have won it, he would have been the youngest to do so. The Derby was exciting as always, and it started right away with Rodriguez and Corey Seager putting up a combined 56 homers in the opening matchup, which was the highest combined total in Round 1. En route to his victory, Soto beat José Ramírez (18-17), Albert Pujols (16-15), and then Rodriguez (19-18). Here were some of my favorite moments and random thoughts throughout the Derby:

  • It was nice of Rodriguez to whiff on his first pitch, so just to really humanize things for us. Hey, big leaguers miss, too!
  • From a young age, we are all taught to step and throw. However, Rodriguez’s pitcher apparently isn’t about that life, and doesn’t step at all. Baller.
  • Pete Alonso doing deadlifts in between rounds? Love it.
  • I thought Schwarber tied Pujols a second time, but I guess I was wrong. Or was I…

Speaking of Juan Soto…


Soto Trade Talk

Where will Soto go? After turning down $440 million, it seems likely that Washington trades his superstar outfielder. The Nationals should get an absolute haul, but how much, and from whom? Soto seems like he’s on his way out.

 

 

Here is a list of teams in the league that shouldn’t even consider acquiring Soto: 

YES! Every team should want Soto, but who has the ammunition to do so? That’s the big question. Yankees? Mets? Padres? 


No Long-Term Deal for Willson Contreras

 


Willson Contreras has talked about wanting to stay in Chicago, but no long-term deal nearly guarantees that he’s traded before the deadline. Contreras is having an excellent season, hitting .253 with 13 home runs, 35 RBI, 48 runs scored and an .821 OPS through 78 games this season. As the Cubs purge its roster before the deadline, catcher-needy teams will be hot after Contreras’ services. Chicago should get a nice return for the 30-year-old backstop, and an improved supporting cast would help Contreras’ fantasy outlook the rest of the way.


Team USA Captain Mike Trout

 


That has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?

 


Health willing, Team USA will have the face of baseball over the past couple of years Mike Trout anchoring the team, en route to hopefully winning it all. Trout didn’t play in the last World Baseball Classic, which was all the way back in 2017, but not only did he decide to play in 2023, but also serve as captain.

 

 


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