Breaking down the chances of each of the 8 Home Run Derby participants

Giancarlo Stanton is the defending champion.Lenny Ignelzi/AP

The MLB Home Run Derby is held annually as a preview to the All-Star Game, but because of this year’s run-scoring renaissance, the 2017 edition will have special significance.

Broadly speaking, the past decade in baseball has been dominated by pitching, pitching and more pitching. But for whatever reason — and many havebeen suggested— baseballs have flown out of the park with increasing regularity the last few seasons.

This year’s Home Run Derby is an opportunity to reflect on how much baseball has changed the last few years.

This year’s Derby will feature eight players, seeded based on home run total and other factors, competing in a single-elimination, bracket-style tournament. Each player will have four minutes per round to hit as many home runs as possible, but can gain more time for hitting two home runs over 440 feet. Competitors are allowed to take one timeout per round, and any ties will be broken via a one-minute swing-off.

Below is a look at this year’s crop of Home Run Derby participants, as well as some key stats and the case to win for each one (stats are through the games of July 6).