Yankees Slugger Luke Voit Wants in on Home Run Derby in Cleveland

The 2019 MLB Home Run Derby is just over a month away, and one Yankees slugger wants a shot at taking home the derby title.

No, not Aaron Judge. Oblique's too tender. Not Giancarlo Stanton, either. We're not sure what's up with him.

No, we're talking about a far more unique candidate who'd do phenomenally in the Big Show: first baseman Luke Voit, who's had an incredible first half for the Yankees. With 15 home runs on the year, Voit finds himself second on the team in that category, behind only Gary Sanchez. Sanchez leads the American League in home runs with 18.

From 2013 to 2018, Voit played in the St. Louis Cardinals organization at almost every minor league level. In his time with the Double-A Springfield Cardinals of the Texas League, Voit was a notble power hitter. In 2016, he beat out Matt Chapman in the Texas League All-Star Game Home Run Derby.

Now on the big stage, Voit still wants in on the Derby, consequences be damned. While a player doesn't necessarily have to make the All-Star rosters to be selected for the event, Voit currently leads the Yankees in both runs (40) and RBI (39), numbers which certainly help his case to be named to the team.

When asked by nj.com whether or not he would like to participate in the Home Run Derby, Voit simply responded with, "Hell yeah," in typical Luke Voit fashion. He also made clear that he believes participating in the Derby won't hurt his swing in the second half of the season.

With the Yankees sitting atop the AL East, Voit's performance this season has been indispensable. If he is given a shot, there is no doubt that Voit would compete for the title. Hopefully Voit's interest in participating in the Derby means he'll continue to crush homers for the Yankees in the second half of the season too, though.

Only he'll be $1 million richer.