Christian Yelich to participate in Home Run Derby

Christian Yelich is the reigning NL MVP and is following it up with another terrific season for the Milwaukee Brewers.

On Saturday, during Fox’s television broadcast of the Brewers vs Pirates game, Yelich agreed to wear a microphone. He was heard talking with Pirates first baseman Josh Bell about the two competing in the Home Run Derby.

After the game, Yelich made it official that he would be participating in the event. He leads MLB with 29 home runs this season.

“I’m going to do it,” Yelich said. “I thought it would be something that would be fun. I grew up watching it on TV. I feel like now is as good a time as any. We’ll see how it goes.”

Yelich went on to talk about if he had any concerns about the belief that competing in the Home Run Derby can mess up a hitter’s swing. He said that he was confident it would have no effect on him going forward.

Brewers’ first baseman Jesus Aguilar falls into that category. He entered the All-Star break last season with 24 home runs on the year. Then, after doing the Home Run Derby hit only 11 in the second half. Aguilar has only five homers in 72 games this season.

“I think maybe it applies to certain guys,” Yelich said. “But, for the most part, I’m really not too worried about it. I kind of do the same thing every day in batting practice anyway. For me, it’s no different. It should be fun.”

    Preview: Mallards in the 2017 Northwoods League All Star Game

    WAUSAU, Wis. — Three Madison Mallards players will be taking part in Tuesday night’s Northwoods League All Star festivities held at Athletic Park, home of the Wisconsin Woodchucks.

    Events
    Home Run Derby | 5:00 p.m.
    All Star Game | 7:05 p.m.

    Mallards Participants (Event)
    SS Cole Daily (All Star Game)
    OF Dorin Turchin (Home Run Derby, All Star Game)
    RHP Simon Rosenblum-Larson (All Star Game)

    Daily comes into the 2017 Northwoods League All Star Game leading the Mallards in hits (67), ranking fourth in batting average (.345), and fourth in RBI (22). During the weekend series against Kenosha, Daily combined to go 5-for-8 at the plate with an RBI double.

    The lone Mallards representative taking part in both All Star break events, Turchin leads Madison in both home runs (10) and RBI (40), while maintaining a solid batting average of .299. His home run count ranks fourth in the Northwoods League, with his most recent blast coming in Saturday’s 8-2 win over the Kingfish.

    Rosenblum-Larson sports a 2-1 record with the Mallards, leading the team with 51 strikeouts on the year — the next closest is Dom Savino with 30. Rosenblum-Larson’s last start came in a 10-0 Jul. 14 win over the Lakeshore Chinooks in which he pitched five shutout innings while striking out nine and allowing just a single hit. His 1.06 ERA this season leads Madison among starters.

    The entire Northwoods League All Star Game roster can be found here.

    Home Run Derby Format:

    • The competition will feature nine innings, with all participants from each division (North and South) getting six “outs” per half inning
    • The player who racks up the most home runs after nine innings will be crowned the individual champion
    • The division with the most collective home runs from its representatives after nine innings will be announced as the team winner

      Jarrett aids in Home Run Derby win

      KENOSHA, Wis. — The South team beat the North 24-19 in the Northwoods League Home Run Derby Monday night, aided by Madison Mallards outfielder Zach Jarrett’s four bombs.

      The inaugural event held at the harbor adjacent to Lake Michigan was a unique backdrop to kick off the Northwoods League All-Star break. Marty Bechina of the host Kingfish led all batters with six home runs in a format that gave each batter six outs to work with. Batters from the Northern and Southern divisions alternated “innings” hitting off a pier into the lake, with field dimensions marked off by boats provided by the Kenosha Yacht Club.

      Leading the Mallards this season with 34 RBI, Jarrett will now participate in the Northwoods League All-Star Game Tuesday night at 7:05 at Simmons Field in Kenosha. The UNC | Charlotte junior was honored to earn that distinction.

      “We have so many guys that could have been out there as well as me and [Troy] Bacon, but the team’s constant support is great. Coming out with these guys and playing with them every day and playing for [manager] Donnie [Scott] and [hitting coach] Trev[or] Burmeister and all the other coaches | it makes it easy.”

      Pitcher Troy Bacon joins Jarrett on tonight’s Southern Division All-Star Game roster with a 6-2 record and 1.75 ERA. Despite pitching out of the bullpen, Bacon currently leads the league in wins. He adds give saves to his total.

        Mallards discuss Pokémon GO, All-Star Game

        MADISON, Wis. — Madison Mallards All-Star representatives Zach Jarrett and Troy Bacon have a lot to live up to, whether it be competing in the Home Run Derby and the All-Star Game or defending a gym on Pokémon GO.

        Bacon and Jarrett will represent Madison in the Northwoods League All-Star Game on July 19 held in Kenosha, Wis.

        Jarrett, who leads the Mallards with 34 RBI, will also participate in the inaugural Northwoods League Home Run Derby held the day before the All-Star Game. A press release from the NWL describes the one-of-a-kind event, with the participants “batting from a pier that extends in to Lake Michigan. Sailboats from the Kenosha Yacht Club will serve as the foul poles to mark the dimensions of Simmons Field and a floating barrier will mimic the outfield wall. Derby participants will attempt to hit home runs over the floating barrier into the downtown Kenosha Harbor.”

        “I’m sure it’s going to be a great time,” said Jarrett, son of NASCAR great Dale Jarrett. “The Home Run Derby is always fun for the guys that are in it and everybody else that’s watching…To see what everybody can do is a lot of fun.”

        Not nominated for the derby, but joining Jarrett on the All-Star roster is Troy Bacon, currently with a 6-and-2 record (the first NWL pitcher to reach six wins this season). Bacon took part in a Home Run Derby of his own Thursday night, beating out the other members of the pitching staff with seven home runs in 10 swings during batting practice. Over his shoulder, Bacon proudly displayed the championship belt formerly owned by Mallards pitcher Luke Shilling.

        Bacon is also one of the team’s better players of popular smartphone app Pokémon GO:

         

         

        Jarrett isn’t as much of a fan, shaking his head when asked his thoughts on the newest smartphone craze.

        “Personally, I haven’t gotten into it, but there are definitely a lot of guys on the team that are into it. On the bus rides and whenever we’re going on the road, getting off the bus, they’re walking around trying to find stuff. Even around [Warner Park] they’re just walking around the park doing it. It’s pretty crazy how it’s just blown up in a short period of time.”