2012 Home Run Derby Recap: Prince Fielder Claims Title

Prince Fielder barely made it out of the first round of the 2012 Home Run Derby, hitting five homers to advance over Carlos Gonzalez and Andrew McCutchen. But from then on, Fielder blew away the competition, hitting 23 home runs in the final two rounds to claim his second career Derby title.

In the second round, Fielder hit 11 homers, for an aggregate of 16 heading into the final round. Mark Trumbo and Jose Bautista both finished the second round with 13 aggregate homers, with the former hitting six in the second and the latter hitting only two. A sudden-death "swing-off" was won 2-to-1 by Bautista, who would advance to face Fielder in the final. Carlos Beltran, the fourth hitter to advance to the second round, finished with 12 aggregate homers and was eliminated.

Fielder led off the final round and put on a show, hitting 12 homers. Bautista hit seven bombs, but it wasn't enough.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage of the Rockies, head over to Rockies blog Purple Row. More news and analysis on major league baseball and the upcoming All Star Game can be found over at Baseball Nation.

Home Run Derby 2012: Carlos Gonzalez Does Not Advance

Colorado Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, despite being one of the most prolific home run hitters in the majors, did not knock enough balls out of Kauffman Stadium to advance to the second round of the 2012 Home Run Derby. Gonzalez only cracked four bombs, which left him one behind Detroit Tigers first baseman Prince Fielder, who was the final participant to advance.

Gonzalez, though, had pretty good company. He was in the group of eliminated hitters along with Andrew McCutchen and team captains Matt Kemp and Robinson Cano. The four hitters who advanced were Fielder, Carlos Beltran, Mark Trumbo and Jose Bautista, who led the field with 11 homers.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage of the Rockies, head over to Rockies blog Purple Row. More news and analysis on major league baseball and the upcoming All Star Game can be found over at Baseball Nation.

2012 Home Run Derby: Carlos Gonzalez Hits 4 Home Runs In 1st Round

Carlos Gonzalez hit four home runs in the first round of the 2012 Home Run Derby on Monday night; his longest homer traveled 433 feet, according to ESPN. Gonzalez will need to finish in the top four in order to advance to the second round of the derby.

Related: 2012 Home Run Derby: Carlos Gonzalez Not Concerned About Derby Affecting His Swing

Two other players have hit in the first round so far and they're both ahead of Gonzalez: Carlos Beltran hit seven home runs and Jose Bautista hit 11.

Gonzalez, who was making his HR Derby debut, has hit 17 home runs for the Rockies in 2012.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage of the Rockies, head over to Rockies blog Purple Row. More news and analysis on major league baseball and the upcoming All Star Game can be found over at Baseball Nation.

2012 Home Run Derby: Carlos Gonzalez Not Concerned About Derby Affecting His Swing

Home Run Derby participants met with the media on Monday and spoke on several different topics, including how the derby might alter the players' swings, perhaps to the detriment of their performance in the second half. Carlos Gonzalez isn't worried about it.

Q. Sometimes you hear players who have participated in the Home Run Derby alter their approach to the plate after having participated; is that something of a concern to you, and how does it feel to be in this event?

CARLOS GONZALEZ: Like I said, we are going to jump on the field and you know, just try to put a good show up for the fans. Of course, we are all trying to hit a home run, but at the end of the day, we all are going to come back tomorrow to play a game, and you know, we have just got to do the routine that we always do during BP. You know, I'm not even concerned about that. Just take my swings, and you know, enjoy the show with my guys here.

Related: 2012 Home Run Derby: Contestants, TV Schedule, Start Time And More

The 2012 Home Run Derby begins at 6:00 p.m. MT on Monday night; ESPN is covering the event.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage of the Rockies, head over to Rockies blog Purple Row. More news and analysis on major league baseball and the upcoming All Star Game can be found over at Baseball Nation.

2012 Home Run Derby: Contestants, TV Schedule, Start Time And More

The Colorado Rockies will be represented by outfielder Carlos Gonzalez in Monday night's Home Run Derby. It's Gonzalez's first-ever appearance in the competition.

The participants:

National League
Matt Kemp (team captain)
Carlos Beltran
Carlos Gonzalez
Andrew McCutchen

Related: 2012 MLB Home Run Derby: Carlos Gonzalez Faces Longest Odds

American League
Robinson Cano (team captain)
Jose Bautista
Prince Fielder
Mark Trumbo

Cano won the event in 2011, while Fielder took the honors in 2009. Both Jose Bautista and Matt Kemp competed in 2011; the other four are derby rookies.

Gonzalez has 17 home runs this season, which is tied for the fourth most in the National League.

HR Derby Date & Time: Monday, July 9, 6:00 p.m. MT

TV: ESPN

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage of the Rockies, head over to Rockies blog Purple Row. More news and analysis on major league baseball and the upcoming All Star Game can be found over at Baseball Nation.

2012 MLB Home Run Derby: Carlos Gonzalez Faces Longest Odds

2012 MLB Home Run Derby: Carlos Gonzalez Will Compete, Represent Colorado Rockies

Carlos Gonzalez is going to the 2012 Home Run Derby. The Colorado Rockies slugger was named to Matt Kemp's National League team on Sunday, joining the Dodgers star and Giancarlo Stanton of the Miami Marlins. Gonzalez is the first member of the Rockies to compete in the event since Matt Holliday in 2007.

Related: 2012 MLB All-Star Game Rosters: Carlos Gonzalez Rockies' Lone Representative

Here's what Gonzalez had to say about his strategy entering the event:

"I am going to swing hard for the streets," Gonzalez told The Post, when confirming his entrance in the derby . "I am excited to get out there."

Gonzalez, a 26-year old left fielder, has 17 homers for Colorado this season. He clubbed 34 homers for the Rockies in 2010 and finished with 26 homers in 2011.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage, head over to Rockies blog Purple Row. More news and analysis on major league baseball and the upcoming All Star Game can be found over at Baseball Nation.