Todd Frazier was soon to close the book on an 11-year MLB career when, during spring training in 2021 with the Pittsburgh Pirates, he remembered encountering a towering 6-foot-7 specimen from the Dominican Republic.

Which masher will win this year's Home Run Derby? The name at the top of the oddsboard might come as a surprise.

Cruz, 26, will join Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero, Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton, Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood, Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh and Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. as the latest participants in the annual slugging contest.