Yankees' Ben Rice Sends Message to MLB About Home Run Derby
· Yahoo Sports
The New York Yankees must be very happy with how things have gone with Ben Rice this year. Rice, who many fans thought had the potential to be a very good player in this league, almost looks like a superstar.
There's a strong argument being made, and one that would be correct, that Rice has been not only a superstar but the best player on the Yankees' roster, even better than Aaron Judge before going down. Rice, hitting .292 on the year, has also blasted 20 home runs, tied for fourth in all of Major League Baseball in that category.
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It's always an honor to see a player get rewarded for what he's been able to do, especially one like Rice, who wasn't a highly touted prospect or a high draft pick.
Rice could be an All-Star this year, but he's also looking at other things to do during All-Star week, suggesting that he wants to be in the Home Run Derby, and he plans to accept an invite if he gets one.
“If I were to get asked to go, I would love to do it,’’ Rice said before the Yankees opened a series in The Bronx against the White Sox with a 12-2 win, per the Post. “I have not heard anything about it, but sure, I’d be interested. I’ve watched it every year. It would be fun.”
It's not crazy to say that Rice could be a participant in the Home Run Derby.
Oftentimes, it goes to players who have a bit more notoriety than him, but he's also been getting a lot of love over the past few months because of his play, so it's not crazy to suggest that a Yankees slugger of his caliber can end up being one of the players selected for the exciting event. CBS Sports believes he has a real opportunity to do so.
“Even if many people would love to see Judge, he's injured and hasn't even been the Yankees' best player this season. Rice has been.
“Last season looked like a breakout with 26 home runs in 467 at-bats, but he's taking things to another level this year. He's been one of the best all-around hitters in baseball and has 18 home runs,” CBS wrote.