Rockies CF Charlie Blackmon takes crack at Home Run Derby

The 2017 Home Run Derby just got a little nastier, as Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon will participate in this year’s slugfest at Marlins Park in Miami.

It’ll be Chuck Nazty’s first time participating in the Home Run Derby, joining Giancarlo Stanton and Justin Bour of the Marlins, Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez of the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers rookie Cody Bellinger, and Kansas City Royals and Minnesota Twins third baseman Mike Moustakas and Miguel Sano.

In an interview with the team’s website, Blackmon said he was “taken by surprise” by being included in the annual home run fest.

“There are a lot of guys that I would’ve expected to get picked before me, and maybe they were all asked and decided not to do it, but that’s OK with me, so I’m excited for the opportunity,” Blackmon said.

Blackmon, who’s tied for ninth in the National League with 19 home runs alongside teammate Mark Reynolds, will reportedly utilize Rockies bullpen coach Darren Holmes as his pitcher.

Blackmon becomes the 11th Rockies player to participate in the Home Run Derby, with Troy Tulowitzki and Justin Morneau the last to do so in 2014.

• Dante Bichette, 1994

• Ellis Burks, 1996

• Larry Walker, 1997, 1999

• Vinny Castilla, 1998

• Todd Helton, 2001

• Matt Holliday, 2007

• Carlos Gonzalez, 2012

• Michael Cuddyer, 2013

• Troy Tulowitzki, 2014

• Justin Morneau, 2014

• Charlie Blackmon, 2017

However, Colorado is among 12 teams who have never had a player win the Home Run Derby.

The Home Run Derby takes place on Monday at 6 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN.

Catch Blackmon, along with third baseman Nolan Arenado, second baseman D.J. LeMahieu, and closer Greg Holland, in the 2017 MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 11, starting at 5:30 p.m. on Fox.

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.