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It’s almost time for the 2023 MLB All-Star Home Run Derby!

Spots for the most anticipated baseball event of the summer are filling up fast, and some of the biggest names in MLB will be taking aim at the T-Mobile Park bleachers on July 10 (8 p.m. ET on ESPN).

One participant is sure to be especially popular with the crowd in Seattle this year: Mariners star Julio Rodriguez. While Rodriguez fell short in the finals against Juan Soto last summer, he became the first slugger to record multiple 30-homer rounds in a single derby — and a little home cooking might be just what he needs to win this year’s event.

As the field is announced, we break down each player chosen — and his case for getting in the way of J-Rod’s hometown coronation in the Emerald City.


Julio Rodriguez

2023 home runs: 13 | Longest: 454 feet

Why he could win: Soto outlasted him for the title last year in Los Angeles, but Rodriguez was clearly the star of the show as he belted long ball after long ball into the Hollywood air in front of a star-studded crowd. Rodriguez hit 32 home runs in the first round and 31 in the second round before running out of gas in the finals, so maybe he has learned to pace himself a little better this time around.

Why he might not: Rodriguez’s sophomore season hasn’t been quite on the level of his huge rookie year, when he won the American League Rookie of the Year Award. The Mariners outfielder has gone deep once every 25.7 at-bats this season, a pretty steep decline from his rate of a home run every 19.1 ABs last season.


2023 home runs: 12 | Longest: 450 feet

Why he could take down J-Rod: Much like Rodriguez did last year, Guerrero put on an absolute show in the 2019 Home Run Debry, but fell short of wearing the crown. In fact, his 91 home runs that night in Cleveland are the most ever in a single event. This season, Guerrero has posted the highest hard-hit percentage of his career — 56.6, the best of any competitor committed to this year’s Derby. It’s easy to picture him getting in one of those zones when he barrels ball after ball.

Why he might not: That career-high hard-hit rate hasn’t translated to a whole lot of in-game power production this year, as Guerrero’s 12 home runs through 81 games is far behind his usual pace.


2023 home runs: 22 | Longest: 426 feet

Why he could take down J-Rod: If there’s one thing we’ve learned over Betts’ career, it’s that he’s very good at just about everything he does. Betts is on pace for his first 40-home run season, and his 92.4 average exit velocity is a career high — at age 30 — so there’s reason to believe he’s getting stronger with age.

Why he might not: The Home Run Derby is as much an endurance contest as it is as a test of power. As a result, it is often ruled by hulking sluggers (think Pete Alonso, Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton). The 5-foot-9 Betts will have to prove he can keep hitting long balls for three grueling rounds.


2023 home runs: 16 | Longest: 436 feet

Why he could take down J-Rod: Has any player in baseball shown more flair for the dramatic than Arozarena? First it was the 2020 playoffs, then most recently this year’s World Baseball Classic. No matter the event, the Tampa Bay star has made it clear: the brighter the lights, the better he performs. In addition to his ability to step up in big moments, Arozarena’s 16 home runs already has him just four long balls away from matching his career high.

Why he might not: For all of his personality, there’s still the question of how Arozarena will handle the Derby as a first-time participant. The best Derby competitors pace themselves for three rounds, and it’s easy to envision Arozarena, like J-Rod last year, dazzling early on before running out of gas.


Pete Alonso

2023 home runs: 25 | Longest: 448 feet

Why he could take down J-Rod: There might not be anyone on the planet who enjoys participating in the Home Run Derby more than Alonso. The Mets first baseman has a chance to become the second player to win the event three times, and would join someone Mariners fans know well if he can do it in Seattle: Ken Griffey Jr. Alonso’s 25 home runs this season are easily the most of anyone committed to this year’s Derby, and he has hit at least 37 home runs in every full season of his career.

Why he might not: History could repeat itself. It was Rodriguez who knocked Alonso out of last year’s Derby and that was without a crowd chanting “J-Rod” with every swing. Despite that, Alonso is the likely favorite to win again — and if we get a rematch of their 2022 Round 2 showdown, it could very well be the highlight of the night.


2023 home runs: 11 | Longest: 424 feet

Why he could take down J-Rod: Rutschman’s power numbers alone — just 24 home runs in nearly 700 career at-bats — make him a likely underdog for this year’s event, but there’s one thing the Orioles catcher has proven he is really good at: winning. Rutschman will need to transform himself into a true slugger in the same way he has transformed the Orioles into a contender since arriving in Baltimore. As a Portland native who played his college baseball at Oregon State, he should have plenty of fans in the ballpark hoping he can pull off a surprising victory in his return to the Pacific Northwest.

Why he might not: Besides the fact that no catcher has ever won the Home Run Derby, Rutschman is known more for his all-around ability than his power. His 11 home runs are the fewest of the competitors in this year’s field, as is his 88 mph average exit velocity. While Rutschman is clearly one of the game’s brightest young stars, his Statcast page doesn’t scream Home Run Derby champion.

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Sources: Texas State expecting offer from Pac-12

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Sources: Texas State expecting offer from Pac-12

Texas State officials have informed the Sun Belt Conference that they are expecting an offer from the Pac-12 in the near future, sources told ESPN.

The talks between Texas State and the Pac-12 have intensified in the last 24 hours, per ESPN sources, although a formal offer from the Pac-12 to Texas State has yet to be delivered.

A formal offer is anticipated in the near future, per sources, as Texas State is in talks to join the league for the 2026-27 school year.

It’d be the next step in the courtship, which may not formally conclude until Monday because of the process required. To formally accept an offer upon receipt, Texas State would need to call a board of regents meeting, which requires 72 hours of notice to convene, per state of Texas open meeting laws.

Pac-12 officials have also alerted the Sun Belt of the talks with Texas State, per sources. Texas State has been the heavy favorite to join the league for months.

That anticipation has increased this week because Texas State’s exit fee to join the Pac-12 for 2026 doubles from $5 million to $10 million on July 1. For formal board approval and to avoid the buyout, Texas State’s invitation would have to come late this week.

Texas State would become the league’s eighth football member, which the Pac-12 needs as a minimum to operate as an FBS conference. (There’d be nine overall, including Gonzaga.)

The Pac-12’s football membership for 2026 consists of Oregon State, Washington State, Boise State, San Diego State, Colorado State, Utah State and Fresno State. Gonzaga doesn’t sponsor football but also will be in the league.

Texas State is a school of 40,000 students that gives the Pac-12 a presence in the football-rich state of Texas. It joined the WAC in 2012 under coach Dennis Franchione and entered the Sun Belt a year later.

Texas State held a verbal offer in the fall to join the Mountain West but ultimately turned that down.

The Bobcats are coming off back-to-back bowl wins and an eight-win season under coach GJ Kinne.

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Morehead St. naming stadium after NYG’s Simms

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Morehead St. naming stadium after NYG's Simms

Morehead State is renaming its stadium for alumnus Phil Simms, who quarterbacked the New York Giants to a win in Super Bowl XXI.

The official dedication will take place at the stadium in Morehead, Ky., during homecoming weekend on Oct. 18.

Simms played for the program from 1974-78. The Kentucky native passed for 5,545 yards and 32 touchdowns during his career and was named the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year in 1977.

“Phil Simms has remained loyal to MSU throughout the years,” athletic director Kelly Wells said. “He has given MSU his time, talent, and treasure to MSU since his days as a college athlete. He has visited Morehead during the summers to host summer camps for young athletes and encouraged them to consider MSU.

“He has mentored MSU coaches and players throughout the years. Most notable, he has hosted numerous fundraising events and personally contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to support the football program. This recognition is most deserving and long overdue.”

The Giants drafted him with the seventh overall pick in 1979 and he remained with the team through his final NFL season in 1993. The two-time Pro Bowl selection ranks second in franchise history in passing yards (33,462) and touchdown passes (199).

He was named the MVP of New York’s 39-20 win against the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXI, completing 22 of 25 passes for 268 yards with three touchdowns and zero interceptions.

Simms earned a second ring with the Giants in Super Bowl XXV when his injury replacement, Jeff Hostetler, led the team to a 20-19 win against the Buffalo Bills.

Simms, who turns 70 in November, returned to campus in 2015 to receive his bachelor’s degree. The university also presented him with an honorary doctorate.

Following his playing career, Simms spent three decades in the broadcast booth.

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Oregon finally lands ’26 QB in three-star Beaver

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Oregon finally lands '26 QB in three-star Beaver

After a series of high-profile whiffs in the 2026 quarterback class, Oregon landed one of the cycle’s fastest-rising prospects on Wednesday with a commitment from three-star passer Bryson Beaver.

Beaver, a 6-foot-3 recruit from Murrieta, California, initially committed to Boise State on April 19. But amid fresh interest from a series of major Power 4 programs including Alabama, Ole Miss and Oregon, Beaver pulled his pledge from the Broncos and reopened his recruitment earlier this month on June 12. He took unofficial trips to Alabama and Ole Miss days later, and Beaver drew new offers from Auburn and LSU on Monday in the wake of a standout performance at the Elite 11 Finals — the nation’s premier high school passing camp — from June 17-19.

His commitment to the Ducks follows an official visit to Oregon this past weekend, closing a rapid, 13-day re-recruitment.

“The last few weeks have been a blessing-I’ve had some great conversations with amazing coaches from top programs, and I’m super thankful for the interest I’ve received,” Beaver wrote on social media.

Beaver joins Oregon as the 10th commit in the Ducks’ incoming recruiting class, and his pledge closes the program’s protracted pursuit of a 2026 quarterback in recent months.

Oregon appeared settled at the position in the cycle after four-star passer Jonas Williams (No. 155 overall) committed to the program last August. But Williams’ flip to USC six months later on Feb. 21 forced the Ducks to renew their efforts in the 2026 quarterback market this spring, setting the stage for several near-misses before Beaver’s commitment on Wednesday.

Oregon spent early spring engaged in a neck-and-neck battle with Georgia for No. 1 quarterback prospect Jared Curtis (No. 5 in the 2026 ESPN), who ultimately committed to the Bulldogs on May 5 following visits with both programs. On Tuesday, the Ducks finished second for a top quarterback once again, this time losing out on four-star BYU pledge Ryder Lyons (No. 49). Two-sport star Matt Ponatoski, who is expected to be selected in next month’s MLB draft, is another quarterback prospect the Ducks actively recruited in recent weeks.

Beaver, a strong-armed passer who threw for 3,214 yards and 33 touchdowns as a junior last fall, will arrive on campus next year alongside a pair of ESPN 300 pass catchers.

Five-star Kendre’ Harrison, ESPN’s No. 1 tight end in 2026, has been committed to Oregon since Nov. 2024. Wide receiver Messiah Hampton ( No. 193 overall) became the program’s most recent top-300 addition on offense earlier this month.

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