Yordan Alvarez may lead the American League in home runs, but the Houston Astros slugger indicated he is not interested in participating in the Home Run Derby this year.
Alvarez has never taken part in the Home Run Derby. In 2024, when he was elected as the AL’s starting designated hitter for the All-Star Game, Alvarez said through an interpreter he might be open to doing the Home Run Derby “at some time in my career, down the line.”
Sunday, Alvarez said of the possibility: “Not this year.”
It’s a strong possibility that Alvarez will garner his fourth career All-Star selection this year. When Major League Baseball released its first update on All-Star fan voting this week, Alvarez was the leading vote-getter among American League position players, and second only to Shohei Ohtani across MLB.
Alvarez entered Sunday leading qualified major-league hitters in OPS (1.054) and slugging (.630), while ranking second among qualified AL hitters in batting average (.320) and on-base percentage (.424). For home runs, he trailed only Kyle Schwarber of the Phillies among major-league hitters.
In the first inning Sunday, Alvarez hit a 2-2 cutter from Guardians right-hander Slade Cecconi over the wall in right-center for his 25th home run, momentarily breaking a tie with the Twins’ Byron Buxton for the AL lead. It snapped a seven-game stretch for Alvarez without a homer, his longest of the season.
“I feel very good right now,” Alvarez said, through an interpreter. “I don’t think it’s a secret right now that they’re pitching me with a lot of caution. So I have to make adjustments to not chase the pitches that they want me to chase.”
Alvarez reached base in three of four plate appearances Sunday, also drawing two walks, one of them intentional. He has 49 walks and 57 strikeouts this season. Saturday, Alvarez had a 25-game streak of reaching base successfully end.
During that streak, his longest on-base streak since 2024, Alvarez posted a 1.158 OPS. Alvarez has been named AL player of the week twice this season and received AL player of the month recognition after a March/April in which he posted a .356/.462/.737 slash line.
Last season, Alvarez was limited to 48 games by injuries, including a fracture in his right hand that cost him 100 games. In his return this season, Alvarez has played in all but one of the Astros’ first 79 games, starting 66 at designated hitter and 12 in left field.
Alvarez played left field Sunday, just his third start there since May 5. The Astros have adhered to their stance that getting Alvarez a majority of playing time at DH is beneficial to keep him fresh and keep his bat in the lineup. No Astros hitter has taken more plate appearances than Alvarez this season.
Manager Joe Espada said pregame Sunday that he does feel “comfortable” playing Alvarez in left field, especially at home, but is “always very mindful of keeping Yordan healthy.” Alvarez’s numbers thus far underscore the importance for an Astros team that had a 37-42 record through Sunday.