Zach McAdoo/Staff
Well folks, we finally have a sports game where we can play cross platform. MLB The Show 21 has allowed us to play with our friends on the other console. With that being said we at Trainwreck Sports have decided to do our very own Home Run Derby. I for one am super happy with this. I luckily had the first overall pick for the first round, but had the last pick in the second because it snaked. Let’s get into why we decided on our picks:
McAdoo- Round 1, Pick 1: Mike Trout
Could there have been any other pick here? The best hitter in the game today and if you don’t take him something is wrong with you. I know that since I am taking him I will have to perform and hit a lot of HRs with him. Anything less than the championship round is a failure. I have Trout on my fantasy team so that also helped me with this easy decision. Mike Trout is making history on the baseball field, I will be making history on the sticks in the TWS HRD.
Ty B- Round 1, Pick 2: Vlad Guerrero Jr
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has made a strong case to be considered the best hitter in the MLB in 2021. The former No. 1 overall prospect in all of baseball trimmed down his weight by about 40 pounds which has improved his speed and athleticism. Vladdy is able to use his natural power with quicker hand speed through the zone to hit to every area of the ballpark. We saw what Vlad Jr. could do in the HR Derby, but I cannot imagine how much more impressive he would be in 2021 as he sits tied for the most home runs in the MLB with 17.
MereKat- Round 1, Pick 3: Aaron Judge
ALL RISE! Aaron Judge can’t get hurt in a simulated HR derby (at least I hope so) and a healthy Aaron Judge is one of the cleanest power hitters in the league. 99 Power R and 97 Power L makes Judge an absolute weapon in The Show, and although I have trouble actually making contact, when I do they’ll all be dingers. Watch out folks, this man’s got a new set of teeth and a swing at anything guy in me controlling him, it’s about to be dong city.
Jake S.- Round 1, Pick 4: Ronald Acuna Jr
I am more than happy to have a no doubt future MVP in the 4th spot. Ronald Acuna Jr. is only 23 years old, and has gotten better every year. In less than three full MLB seasons played, Acuna Jr. has racked up 96 home runs. That is 43 HRs on a 162 game average. He packs raw power, and might be the best player in the MLB someday.
Rob Ryan- Round 1, Pick 5: Pete Alonso
There was only one man that I was considering with this pick and it surprised absolutely no one. With the fifth pick in the first round, I had to go with the REIGNING, DEFENDING, UNDISPUTED Home Run Derby Champion, The Polar Bear, Pete Alonso. Pete is coming for the repeat and there is no one in the field that will be able to stop this man.
Monster- Round 1, Pick 6: Luke Voit
Monster has a NY state of mind as he takes Luke Voit in the first round. Voit is criminally underpowered in this game, but is still a really good hitter in the game. Voit led the league in HRs in 2020 with 22 in the 60 game season. Look out for Voit in the 1st round of the TWS HRD.
Mike Straw- Round 1, Pick 7: Nelson Cruz
A guy who can still hit 480+ bombs, Nelson Cruz knows how to hit the long ball even at the age of 40. 98 power for the Home Run Derby this guy could be a very big surprise upset some of the earlier picks made. Do not count out Cruz making a deep run and winning the whole thing.
Some Guy Named Steve –Round 1, Pick 8: Christian Yelich
This choice was simple for me. Yelich is my favorite player in the MLB and has one of the best swings in MLB the Show. Yelich has the perfect balance of power and contact that i want and a quick left handed swing that is very good at elevating the ball.
Some Guy Named Steve- Round 2, Pick 1: Trea Turner
Another obvious choice for me. Turner is currently one of the best and most balanced hitters in the MLB and is someone I rake with in MLB the Show. Turner is a steal for under 70 power because he makes great contact and always seems to hit the ball with a high exit velocity. In my opinion Turner has one of the quickest and easiest swings of all right handed batters in the game.
Mike Straw- Round 2, Pick 2: Mookie Betts
One of the best players in baseball. The 2018 AL MVP still has the pop to hit HRs and in the under 70 power derby Betts is one of the top dogs. Betts is one of the favorites for this HRD. If you see Betts lift the trophy when this is all said and done, don’t be surprised.
Monster- Round 2, Pick 3: Francisco Lindor
We continued Monster’s NY state of mind and angered Rob Ryan with the pick of Francisco Lindor. McAdoo selected him for Monster because he had a good power and the Mets were the team I landed on for that pick and it just happened like that. Lindor knows how to hit the long ball and could do damage in the 2nd round of the TWS HRD.
Rob Ryan- Round 2, Pick 4: Josh Bell
This is when the gloves came off for GM Rob Ryan. After Straw and McAdoo decided to choose Mookie and Mr. 341 Million in back-to-back picks, Angry Rob Ryan came out. The rest of the competitors better watch out because after that scene, I’m taking no prisoners this round. With the fourth pick in the second round, I went with the new man in Washington, Josh Bell. The other competitors are not ready for this smoke that I’m bringing to the Derby.
Jake S.- Round 2, Pick 5: Travis Shaw
Travis Shaw is likely not going to win this competition, but he’s a solid pick to get me out of the first round. He is a massive dude, standing at 6-4” and 230 pounds. Though home runs have been few and far between in recent seasons, Shaw had some very big years early on in his Brewers tenure, highlighted by 63 HRs in 2017-18. If I can find a rhythm, he might be tough to contend with.
MereKat- Round 2, Pick 6: Ozzie Albies
Albies was an easy choice for me for my “weaker” hitter. In my warmups I’ve been running with him – Albies has been SMACKING every pitch I come in contact with 500 ft. into right field and I’m confident I can carry that over to bury these guys like Stevie and McAdoo who think their “experience” in the show is going to matter. Albies has 9 dingers irl this season and I plan on 10x that come derby time.
Ty B- Round 2, Pick 7: Marcus Semien
Marcus Semien was a slept on addition for the Toronto Blue Jays, but broke out for eight home runs in May en route to earning Player of the Month honors. The second baseman is known more for his contact ratings as a leadoff hitter, but has really found some good pop in his bat over the past month. Expect that trend to continue in Buffalo where the Blue Jays absolutely mash the ball and when I win the TWS HRD!
McAdoo- Round 2, Pick 8: Ketel Marte
This was one of the players I wanted when we started the second round. Trea Turner was the guy I really wanted, but unfortunately he didn’t fall at all. So I had to fall back on another player. Since Rob Ryan complained about my Trout pick, I let him pick his poison. I let him decide between Didi Gregorious and Ketel Marte. He chose Marte because he has less power (he guessed and was right surprisingly). Ketel Marte is an underrated guy, who when healthy can bat .300 and mash some homers. Marte should have some fun when we kick off Round 2 and make a run.
Round 3: Everyone uses Fernando Tatis Jr.
The final round everyone will use Cover boy Fernando Tatis Jr. A guy who is changing the game of baseball and making it fun for the fans. He has that swagger that the fans love and oppenents hate. The final round we will see who is the best on an even playing field.
Follow Twitch.tv/trainwreck_sports and twitch.tv/mcadoo016 for all the coverage on the Train Wreck Sports Home Run Derby.