Blue Jays' Guerrero won't participate in 2021 HR Derby

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. won't take part in the 2021 Home Run Derby at Coors Field on July 12, according to Hazel Mae of Sportsnet.

Guerrero told Mae he wants to focus on the second half of the season and refresh mentally.

The 22-year-old slugger enters Monday's action in a tie with Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani for the MLB lead with 23 homers. Ohtani will enter the event.

Guerrero set a new Home Run Derby record with 91 total bombs across three rounds in 2019, although he finished runner-up to New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso.

Regardless of his decision on the event, Guerrero will likely start in the All-Star Game. He leads all MLB players with over 1.7 million votes so far.