Boston Red Sox
“I’m a little bit nervous, I won’t lie. But I think it’s going to be fun.”
Willson Contreras has slugged 20 home runs in 88 games with the Red Sox. AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh
For the first time in 15 years, a Red Sox player will take part in the Home Run Derby during MLB’s All-Star festivities.
Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras accepted the invitation to take part in the derby, which will be held on Monday, July 13 at Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park.
Contreras is the first Red Sox player to take part in the annual power-hitting showcase since both David Ortiz and Adrian Gonzalez participated in the event in 2011, with Gonzalez trying to become just the second Red Sox player to win it since Ortiz took home the crown in 2010.
“They asked me I if I wanted to participate,” Contreras told MassLive’s Sean McAdam in Chicago. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I’ve done it before in Venezuela not here. I always wanted to at least participate in one in MLB and I’m real excited to get the opportunity. I’m looking forward to having fun and hopefully put on a good show.”
The 34-year-old Contreras has been one of the few bright spots on an up-and-down Red Sox team, with the slugger entering Wednesday night with a .286 batting average to go along with 20 home runs and 61 RBI in just 88 games.
The right-handed Contreras has benefitted from playing at Fenway Park, with the gifted hitter just four dingers shy of matching his career-high of 24 homers with the Cubs during the 2019 season.
Contreras will also take part in MLB’s All-Star events as a replacement for Toronto’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr. — marking the fourth All-Star appearance of his big-league career (2018, 2019, 2022). He is one of three Red Sox All-Stars this season, joining Aroldis Chapman and Sonny Gray.
“For me the key in the Home Run Derby is not to try to do too much,” Contreras told McAdam. “I already have a plan on what to do. Hopefully, it works out. We’re going to compete and everybody that tries to compete, they want to win. If it doesn’t happen, at least I’m going to have fun. I’m super excited. I’m a little bit nervous, I won’t lie. But I think it’s going to be fun.”
Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.
Sign up for the Today newsletter
Get everything you need to know to start your day, delivered right to your inbox every morning.
