Bakersfield’s Jesse Winker won the Home Run Derby portion of the skills contests in Wilmington, DE Monday as festivities got underway for the California/Carolina League All-Star Game. Winker hit five homers while Visalia’s Brandon Drury came in second with four.
The fan-friendly contest had a twist on the usual format as the participants took their swings from CF near the warning track, aiming to send balls into the crowd that gathered in the grandstand area between the dugouts. For it to count, the longball had to land in this area, nothing could be pulled.
Also taking place was a “Hitting Challenge” with participants from both leagues trying to hit various targets in a timed exercise with some mascots in the way. The California League squad won this competition, with Bakersfield OF Kyle Waldrop leading the way in points.
The All-Star Game itself is tonight at 7:05PM EDT/4:05PM PDT
