Judge will not participate in 2018 Home Run Derby
The Home Run Derby will crown a new champion when it gets going at Nationals Park on July 16, as New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge has opted out.
"There is no need to do it," Judge told ESPN about whether he will defend his championship after winning last year's title as a rookie.
Even further, Judge dismissed any notion he could be pressured into it, as it could be a missed opportunity for Major League Baseball to market one of the youngest stars in the game.
"Pressure won't do anything," the 26-year-old added.
In the first round of the 2017 Home Run Derby, Judge eliminated the home team's Justin Bour from contention by putting on a show with 23 dingers in one of the most memorable iterations of the All-Star event to date.
Over his 155-game rookie campaign, Judge broke the rookie home run record previously held by Mark McGwire en route to the American League Rookie of the Year. With a .284/.422/.627 slash line and 52 home runs, Judge also finished second in MVP voting, losing to Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve.
However, despite his impressive overall season, Judge struggled in the second half and shortly after the All-Star festivities. After posting an otherworldly 1.139 OPS in the first half, Judge put up a .680 OPS in August.
Over 45 games heading into Tuesday's contest against the Texas Rangers, Judge owns a .286/.415/.565 slash line with 12 home runs.