Braves fans are already getting excited at the thought of seeing Evan Gattis in the Home Run Derby July 15 during All-Star festivities in New York, and so, frankly, is Gattis.
The rookie phenom said Friday he’d be happy to accept an invitation to participate if he is among those asked by the yet-to-be designated National League captain.
“I would love it,” said Gattis, who said he wouldn’t worry his swing getting off-kilter. “Nah I wouldn’t be too worried about it. It’s just one day.”
Last year Gattis watched the home run derby with some buddies during extended spring training, when he was out with a wrist injury. Participating this year would just add to the legend of his remarkable season.
“Just knowing that people would be watching, maybe my dad throwing - that’d be cool,” said Gattis, whose father Jo coached him until he was 17 with his travel team, the Dallas Tigers.
Gattis was tied for fourth in the National League with 12 home runs, entering Friday, but in only 137 at-bats, fewest among any NL player with double-digit homers.
