For most of the year, baseball is all about winning. Spring training starts, then the regular season arrives, and ultimately the postseason contenders battle it out to win the greatest MLB distinction. But peppered throughout the season are some nights reserved purely for good old baseball fun. For the last two years, Julio Rodriguez has missed his chance at winning the Home Run Derby. But if he had it his way, the Mariners slugger would team up with Aaron Judge.

While J-Rod is in his second year in the majors, the New York Yankees captain is a veteran. Judge’s foray into the Derby happened in his rookie year in 2017, which he ended up winning. While Rodriguez’s rookie year in 2022 didn’t go quite the same way, he’s still an All-Rise fan.

Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Barry Bonds on Julio Rodriguez’s List

In 2022, Juan Soto went past J-Rod to win the Home Run Derby. But it was an announcement by Seattle – they had a powerful new player in their midst. It was Julio Rodriguez’s introduction to the league, and he signed a massive 14-year, $400 million contract with the Seattle Mariners. 2023 cemented his status as a rising superstar even though he once again came second this year, losing to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. But the Blue Jays star’s win didn’t prevent him from respecting him in the least.

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In a recent conversation with Mookie Betts for Bleacher Report, J-Rod touches on who would constitute his ideal Home Run Derby team. “I feel like I really wanna watch Giancarlo [Stanton], [Aaron] Judge…Vladdy for sure,” Rodriguez says. He confirms it’s Jr. and not Sr., before moving on to more players.

“I wanna watch – he was a big Home Run Derby Guy – it’s Josh Hamilton. He had a crazy Home Run Derby…Bonds. I wanna see that guy swinging. Imagine just to see like, no man that’s crazy.” Not many utter Bonds’ name following his controversial legacy but there’s no denying he was a marvelous player.

As for the Yankees, Aaron Judge remains widely beloved but Stanton’s reputation, especially in the Bronx, has taken a major hit. But the Mariners youngster is familiar with these players’ pasts and how they’ve developed in the league. Interestingly, just like Mookie Betts, Seattle’s outfielder is also in MVP conversation at this juncture in the season.

J-Rod for AL MVP?

Mookie Betts has been going through a fiery hot season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, competing with teammate Freddie Freeman for NL MVP contention. In the AL, the conversation has always been focused on Shohei Ohtani, with Kyle Tucker and Cory Seager earning honorable mentions. Another contestant has now been added – Mariners’ Julio Rodriguez.

Seattle Mariners Superstar Julio Rodriguez Joins Hands With an Airline to Create an Amazing Opportunity For Fans

The star outfielder had a slow start to the season but since July, he has been on a rampage. He even reached the 30-30 club recently, aka 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases, in a single season. Rodriguez’s presence has undoubtedly kept the Mariners in playoff contention, so of course he has the potential to be MVP.

What do you think? Does J-Rod have a chance over Sho-time?

WATCH THIS STORY – Cracking the Record Books – Top 5 Baseball Players With Most Career Home Runs