5 players who could dethrone Stanton as HR Derby champ

Major League Baseball announced on Sunday that Miami Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton will attempt to defend his crown at the All-Star Game's Home Run Derby.

Stanton won the 2016 derby with 20 home runs in the final, defeating defending champion Todd Frazier. He also eliminated Robinson Cano and Mark Trumbo in the slug fest, hitting a combined 61 long balls during the three rounds.

With Stanton's crown on the line July 11 in Miami, here are five players who could dethrone the Marlins beast of a power hitter.

Anthony Rizzo

While the reigning National League MVP Kris Bryant won't partake in the derby, his Chicago Cubs teammate Anthony Rizzo is willing to consider it, which could provide quite a test for Stanton.

"It's in Miami, so I'd have to give it thought because it's my hometown, my home area," Rizzo told Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times on Friday. "It was cool to do it the first time, and last year it was really nice to be able to relax and enjoy (watching). But if I was asked here, I would definitely consider it."

The 27-year-old first baseman has 17 long balls on the year, but his recent move to the leadoff spot in the order has jolted him into hitting four home runs in 11 games.

Eric Thames

One of baseball's biggest surprises since arriving from Korea, Thames has 20 homers to his credit and has been one of the catalysts behind the Milwaukee Brewers' great first half. Eight of his 20 home runs have come against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park and 10 have come at home at hitter-friendly Miller Park, so if Thames were to participate he'd need to muscle up if he planned to beat Stanton on his home turf at Marlins Park, where the park's dimensions are better suited to the champ.

Joey Votto

Votto, who has 20 bombs on the year, hasn't received an invite to the derby as of yet, but he would consider participating if he did. The Canadian was also confident he'd win the event when asked how he'd do in a recent interview with C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Inquirer where he compared himself to Ichiro Suzuki.

"Do I think I can win it? Of course," Votto said. "Just think of me as the Canadian Ichiro - Japan has theirs and Canada has theirs."

Prior to the 2016 derby, all-time home run leader Barry Bonds said Ichiro could win if he participated.

Cody Bellinger

It feels like every week Los Angeles Dodgers rookie sensation Cody Bellinger is breaking some kind of record. On Sunday, the 21-year-old became the fastest player in major-league history to record six multi-home run games. His 24 long balls - in just 57 games - leads the NL and he's been a big part of the Dodgers' current 10-game winning streak. Adding a derby title would make his historic rookie campaign that much sweeter, but Bellinger stills needs to receive an invite.

Aaron Judge

While Bellinger may be the hottest hitter in the NL, no one has lit baseball on fire the way Judge has this season. His towering home runs in both batting practice and during games have left many in awe, while his impressive athletic prowess and charming ability to win over fans have him becoming a baseball darling. Judge appears to be a surefire All-Star and a potential MVP, but taking Stanton's derby crown away from him would be just another notch in the belt of the Yankees rookie slugger, whose 26 home runs lead MLB. He hasn't received an invite just yet, but has already said he'd consider it.

(Photos Courtesy: Action Images)