Dawson expects Stanton to dominate Derby

CINCINNATI -- If asked, Giancarlo Stanton says he would gladly accept an invitation to participate in the Home Run Derby at Great American Ball Park on July 13, the night before the All-Star Game.

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With that scenario expected to happen, Hall of Famer Andre Dawson says the baseball world should expect a great display of pure power from the Marlins' two-time All-Star right fielder.

"They may have to call it after one round," Dawson said. "He's been incredible."

Dawson, a Marlins special assistant, believes with the Derby taking place in a hitter-friend park it should feature plenty of home run fireworks.

"It's going to be a long Home Run Derby in this ballpark," he said. "I don't how they've got their time slotted, but it's going to be a long night."

Stanton, specifically, is considered the undisputed king of pure power in the big leagues. He paces the Majors with 25 homers.

"I had him at the start of the season to hit 45 home runs," Dawson said. "I might have to change that, I think, at the All-Star break."

In his brilliant 21-year career, Dawson belted 438 homers, including 49 in his MVP 1987 season.

The way Stanton hits his homers, many scorched liners, is what truly impresses the Hall of Famer.

"With him, [the home runs] don't surprise me," Dawson said. "I've always felt he just needed to be in the lineup, be healthy every day. Then, it's going to be incredible to see what he is really capable of doing, if he can be in the lineup every day.

"The magnitude of his home runs. They aren't just home runs. The line drives, and how quickly they get out of the ballpark. That's just brute strength."