Judge excited to be in powerful field

Yankees teammates Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez announced Monday they would participate in the All-Star Home Run Derby.

They’ll join defending champion Giancarlo Stanton of the Marlins along with histeammate, Justin Bour. Also in the field are Miguel Sano of the Twins and Dodgers rookie Cody Bellinger.

Two spots remain in the field for the derby Monday night in Miami.

Judge, a rookie, leads majors with 27 home runs.

“I’m excited,” he saidMonday. the “We’ve got a good group of guys going. Getting a chance to go up against Gary is going to be fun. So I think we’re both looking forward to that.”

Sanchez has hit 13 home runs despite missing nearly a month with a strained biceps.

“It’s going to be special,” Sanchez said through a translator. “The excitement will be through the roof, and if I don’t win, Iwant Judge to win.”

Bour, who will compete in front of his hometown fans, has hit 18 home runs.

“I didn’t watch much baseball growing up, but the Home Run Derby is something you just have to sit down and enjoy,” he said. “To be a part of that and havemy family come down is going to be something to enjoy.”

Bour also is vying for a spot on theNLAll-Starteamvia the Final Vote. The other finalists are Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant, Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon, Rockies first baseman Mark Reynolds and Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner.

Candidates in the AL are Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus, Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts, Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius, Rays first baseman LoganMorrison andRoyals third baseman MikeMoustakas.