Carlos Beltran has been an All-Star seven times in his career, but he's never participated in the Home Run Derby. That's going to change, though, as Beltran has accepted an invitation from National League Derby captain Matt Kemp, joining Carlos Gonzalez and Giancarlo Stanton.
The inclusion is deserved, as Beltran is second in the N.L. in homers with 20, putting him nearly on pace to break his career high of 41. Beltran, as both an All-Star and Derby participant, will return to Kansas City, where he started his career and starred for the Royals. Beltran received a warm welcome from the Kauffman Stadium crowd when the St. Louis Cardinals visited for a weekend series there during interleague play.
Kemp, for his part, is currently on the disabled list, but he is nonetheless slated to compete in the Home Run Derby.
For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis. For more coverage of the Cardinals, head over to Cardinals blog Viva El Birdos.
