Red Sox homer leader will be Boston’s first Home Run Derby participant in 15 years

CHICAGO — For the first time in 15 years, the Red Sox will have a participant in the Home Run Derby.

One day after expressing his interest in participating in Monday night’s contest in Philadelphia, slugger Willson Contreras was confirmed as one of the eight participants for the annual Derby. The Red Sox announced his participation on X.

“They asked me I if I wanted to participate,” said Contreras of MLB officials. “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.”

Contreras will have Red Sox first base coach Jose David Flores pitch to him. Contreras said he first asked his brother William, a catcher for the National League team, but William declined.

Contreras is the first Red Sox player to participate in the Derby since Adrian Gonzalez and David Ortiz swung in the 2011 version in Phoenix. A year earlier, Ortiz won the contest in Anaheim. The Red Sox, for whatever reason, haven’t had many of their players ever take part. Ortiz also competed in 2004, 2005 and 2006. The last Boston participant before him was Carl Everett in 2000.

Contreras, who was a late add to the American League All-Star team Tuesday after Toronto’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr. dropped out to rest a nagging back injury, will join three other American Leaguers in the eight-man field. Kansas City’s Jac Caglianone announced his participation Wednesday with Ben Rice (Yankees) and Junior Camerino (Rays) already having committed. The expectation is that two Phillies — Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber — are possible participants in front of the home crowd at Citizens Bank Park.

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It’s the first time in Contreras’ career that he will participate in the Derby. He’s a four-time All-Star, having made the team as a member of the Cubs in 2018, 2019 and 2022.

“For me the key in the Home Run Derby is not to try to do too much,” said Contreras. “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.”

Contreras leads the Red Sox with 20 homers so far this season. He has hit .287 with 16 doubles, 61 RBIs, a .545 slugging percentage and a .926 OPS in 87 games. The 34-year-old is one of three Red Sox All-Stars, along with pitchers Ranger Suarez and Aroldis Chapman.

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