2019 Home Run Derby Odds: Yelich Listed as Favorite, Vlad Jr. Offered at 5-1

• Christian Yelich is favored to win the 2019 MLB Home Run Derby
• Blue Jays rookie Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has the third best odds to win the event
• Guerrero has hit eight homers in his first year with the Jays

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will be looking to follow in the footsteps of his Hall-of-Fame father on Monday, July 8th when he makes his debut in the MLB Home Run Derby in Cleveland. The Blue Jays rookie is pegged as an intriguing +500 wager to win the event.

2019 MLB Home Run Derby Odds

*Odds taken 07/04/19

The Toronto third baseman has endured growing pains in his rookie campaign, connecting on just eight home runs and 25 RBI through his first 57 games. However, the 20-year-old regularly demonstrated his impressive power at the plate during his climb to the majors, going long on 20 occasions in 95 games with four minor league clubs last season.

Here’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr taking batting practice Wednesday July 3rd with #BlueJays coach John Schneider throwing. Warming up for the MLB #HRDerby #PLAKATA ? pic.twitter.com/mbaVrmAUqr

— SuperFan Dan (@Danbot26R) July 4, 2019

Guerrero has regularly wowed fans and baseball insiders alike at batting practice since the Blue Jays signed him back in 2015.

Now looking to head to his first trip to All-Star Weekend since accompanying his father Vladimir Guerrero Sr. on the field at his Home Run Derby victory in 2007, Vlad Jr. has been reportedly been practicing for his debut in the Home Run Derby, with a little help from his Toronto Blue Jays teammates. He represents a real threat to become the youngest player in history to win the event.

Christian Yelich vs Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Head-to-Head Odds

Before he can make winning Home Run Derby titles a family affair, he must first get past first-round opponent Christian Yelich, who will head to this year’s Home Run Derby perched as a short +275 favorite.

After falling just short of claiming baseball’s Triple Crown last season, the Milwaukee Brewers slugger has brought his game at the plate to another level this season. The reigning NL MVP enters Fourth of July action leading the majors with 31 home runs while maintaining a strong .328 batting average.

Christian Yelich adds to his MLB lead with home run No. 3⃣0⃣! #ThisIsMyCrewpic.twitter.com/LRpbBJUa1M

— Stadium (@Stadium) July 2, 2019

Yelich has seen his production dip since hitting 13 home runs over the first 22 games of the season, and has gone yard just twice in his past 10 outings.

Pick: Guerrero Jr. (+500 )

Pete Alonso vs Carlos Santana Head-to-Head Odds

A 24-year-old rookie, Alonso has been one of the few bright spots this season on a troubled New York Mets squad. The first baseman has demonstrated consistent power at the plate while hitting 28 home runs through his first 86 contests, going more than three games without a home run on just one occasion since late April.

.@Pete_Alonso20 is the fastest player in @Mets history to reach 50 XBH in a season (87 games). pic.twitter.com/NlCYZo25xz

— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) July 4, 2019

With 19 home runs through 84 games with the Cleveland Indians this season, Santana is on pace to produce the best numbers of his 10-year MLB career. The 33-year-old has caught fire following a slow start that saw him hit just three long balls through the end of April, with 12 of his 19 dingers coming at Cleveland’s Progressive Field, the site of this year’s competition.

Pick: Santana (+160)

Josh Bell vs Ronald Acuna Jr. Head-to-Head Odds

Bell has emerged as one of the biggest reasons that the Pirates remain in contention in the NL Central this season. The 26-year-old leads the club in all major offensive statistical categories, popping 26 hon runs and an MLB-leading 80 RBI while hitting a career-best .309 clip.

NUMBER 26 FOR JOSH BELL ? ?

OPPO TACO ?

NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO BE THE STARTING NL FIRST BASEMAN THOUGH, RIGHT? ???#LetsGoBucs

pic.twitter.com/pvOFFwzvOq

— Across The Bridge (@ATBPGH) July 4, 2019

Like Yelich, Bell cooled off considerably at the plate after hitting 12 home runs in the month of May, going long on just four occasions in June, while hitting a meager .208 during the month. However, the Pirates first baseman has showed signs of turning the corner this week during the first three games of a series with the Chicago Cubs, powering Pittsburgh to three straight wins with four home runs and 10 RBI.

? RONALD ACUÑA JR. IS IN THE HOME RUN DERBY ?

Get ready to see some diñgers in Cleveland, @Braves Country.#ChopOn pic.twitter.com/IBZ4v0K12Z

— FOX Sports: Braves (@FOXSportsBraves) June 30, 2019

Last season’s NL Rookie of the Year, Acuna has also shown steady improvement this season. With nine of his 20 home runs coming since June 5th, Acuna remains on a solid pace to top the stats from his rookie campaign, when he belted 26 homers and added 64 RBI in just 111 games, and has not been intimidated by opposing ballparks, with 12 of his 20 long balls coming on the road.

Pick: Acuna Jr. (+120)

Alex Bregman vs Joc Pederson Head-to-Head Odds

Bregman meets Pederson in a clash of big hitters enduring big slumps. Both sluggers were on a tear through the first two months of the season, each connecting on 17 dingers by the end of May. However, both have struggled since, with Bregman going yard just six times since June 1st, and Pederson connecting on just three home runs.

Alex Bregman (@ABREG_1) on getting the @Dodgers Joc Pederson (@yungjoc650) in the 1st round of the Home Run Derby: "He's good. He's got a lot of juice. He's got a lot more pop than me. Gonna go out there and grind." #Astros pic.twitter.com/h960kOJI3A

— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) July 4, 2019

Pederson’s production has also been largely limited to his home turf at Dodger Stadium, where he has hit 15 of this year’s 20 home runs. Meanwhile, Progressive Field has been far from kind to Bregman, who has hit just two total home runs and owns a career batting average of just .245 in 11 game appearances in Cleveland with his Houston Astros.

Pick: Bregman (-130)