The Atlanta Braves have announced that designated hitter Marcell Ozuna will participate in the 2024 Home Run Derby during the All-Star Game festivities in Arlington, TX next week.
Ozuna, one of three Braves players selected to the All-Star game with starting pitchers Chris Sale and Reynaldo Lopez, is making his first All-Star game trip since 2017 while a member of the Miami Marlins.
The three-time All-Star has slugged 23 home runs for Atlanta so far this year. He set a career-high with 40 blasts last season and led the National League with 18 home runs in the COVID-shortened 2020 season – his first in a Braves uniform.
Ozuna’s current 2024 home run total ranks second in the National League behind fellow designated hitter Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The 33-year-old Ozuna could be a free agent after this season. The Braves hold a team option for 2025 on the four-year contract he signed for the 2021 season. In parts of five seasons with Atlanta, the “Big Bear” has hit 111 home runs with a .267/.339/.509 slash line.
This will be Ozuna’s first time participating in the Home Run Derby which can be watched on ESPN on Monday, July 15, 2024, at 8PM Eastern.
