Ben Rice announced on Instagram that he will be participating in this year's Home Run Derby during the All-Star Break and will have his dad throw for him.
Rice accompanied his announcement with a video of his father throwing him batting practice when he was a kid. While winning the Derby is certainly in play and likely a goal, Rice really just has one job during the Home Run Derby. He just needs to make sure he avoids doing what Jazz Chisholm Jr. did last year.
Chisholm had one of the worst Home Run Derby performances ever last year, hitting just three home runs in round one of the competition. He was the subject of countless memes on social media, and Rice will want to avoid the same fate.
Rice has 25 home runs in 85 games this year. He had 26 in 138 games last year, so his power numbers have certainly improved. His .925 OPS is eye-popping, and he is more than deserving of his All-Star nod. He was not the everyday first baseman last year, but came into this season knowing that he was going to be the primary option there.
He has still spent some time as the designated hitter, but his uptick in home runs has certainly helped the Yankees keep pace in the American League with Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge both hurt.
Rice will look to become the first Yankee to win the Home Run Derby since Aaron Judge in 2017. He would be just the fifth Yankees player to win the Home Run Derby if he emerges victorious. He would join Judge, Robinson Cano, Jason Giambi and Tino Martinez.
Even if Rice is not crowned the champion, simply avoiding embarrassment would be a win after what Chisholm did last year.