Madison Bumgarner is proving that he is much more than a pitcher, and he wants to make sure that everybody knows it. In fact, Bumgarner wants in on the Home Run Derby next month.
The same day that ESPN’s Buster Olney reported that Bumgarner wants to participate in the Home Run Derby at the All-Star Game in July, the San Francisco Giants pitcher also put on a show during batting practice.
The San Jose Mercury News’ Andrew Baggarly reports that Bumgarner hit over a dozen home runs in batting practice before Sunday night’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals. He put consecutive shots into “Big Mac Land” in the third deck, and on his final swing, he put one above that area into the fourth deck.
Bumgarner's last swing of BP put one in the upper deck, one level ABOVE Big Mac Land. He couldn't hide his smile. pic.twitter.com/NHfxEwxBt1
— Alex Pavlovic (@AlexPavlovic) June 5, 2016
Some groundskeepers apparently said they only recalled a few players putting balls into the upper deck — like Nelson Cruz, who has two 40-or-more homer seasons.
Of course, Bumgarner has developed a reputation as a good hitting pitcher. Not only does he have 13 career home runs — 11 since 2014 — but he also batted .247 in 2015 and .258 in 2014. The Home Run Derby is all about entertaining fans, and what better way to do that than by putting in such an improbable participant? Plus, if Bumgarner is good enough for Bruce Bochy to use as a pinch hitter, then he definitely should be good enough to include in the derby.
