The International League and Pacific Coast League announced today who will be participating in the 2012 Triple-A Home Run Derby on Monday, July 9 at Coca-Cola Field in Buffalo New York at 7:00 p.m. ET.

International League Participants
Dan Johnson, Charlotte – 21 HR
Matt LaPorta, Columbus – 16 HR
Valentino Pascucci, Buffalo – 13 HR

Pacific Coast League Participants
Joey Butler, Round Rock – 12 HR
Mike Hessman, Oklahoma City – 25 HR
Luis Jimenez, Tacoma – 13 HR

Jimenez, now in the Mariners’ system, was a member of the PawSox in 2007 for a brief stay. In 25 games he hit .148 with one homer and seven runs batted in before being released by the Red Sox. Unfortunately no Mauro Gomez in the derby. The PawSox first baseman/designated hitter has clubbed 19 homers this year.

The 2012 Triple-A Home Run Derby will be preceded by a Celebrity Home Run Derby that will include Buffalo Sabres forward Patrick Kaleta, New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson, NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly, and actor Nick Bakay.

-AG

@aaronmgoldsmith
agoldsmith@pawsox.com

We know Gronk can spike a football and catch touchdowns, now we’ll see how he can swing a bat. (Harry E. Walker/MCT)