Granderson willing to take cuts in Derby

NEW YORK -- Curtis Granderson hasn't officially been asked to take part in the State Farm Home Run Derby, but the Yankees slugger is willing to take a few hacks in the July 9 event at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.

"I'll do it; I've got no problem with it," Granderson said. "I know I won't do [well], so if anyone's betting, don't pick me. That's for sure."

American League team captain Robinson Cano might not be convinced by Granderson's humble comments. Last year's Home Run Derby champion, Cano said that he planned on asking Granderson to take part.

Granderson entered play on Saturday with a team-leading 21 home runs, tied for fourth in the Majors. Granderson said his only prior experience with a home run-hitting contest came in a winter exhibition in Curacao, where he was ousted after hitting just two homers.

"I'll definitely try it," Granderson said. "As long as I hit one, I'll be happy. I just don't want to go out of there with a zero, and there's a good chance that'll happen."

The Yankees would certainly be interested observers; Brett Gardner, who is stationed in an adjacent locker at Citi Field, piped up and eagerly asked Granderson if he really plans to take part in the Home Run Derby.

"I just don't hit home runs in BP; I don't know," Granderson said. "I just can't do it. Some guys have the ability to do it, like Andruw Jones can do it, Cano can do it -- some guys just have the ability to go up there from the first swing and, 'Boom.'

"Josh Hamilton, I remember seeing in the All-Star Game last year, we just had batting practice and his first swing in Arizona goes off the batter's eye. No chance I could do that. My first swing would not go over the fence."

Still, while Granderson might not be able to run with the likes of Cano or Hamilton's 2008 display at the old Yankee Stadium, he knows there are plenty of people who would like to see him give it a try.

"I can understand, but I think there's natural power and then there's generated power," Granderson said. "My power comes from a combination of things; I need the pitcher to supply it. Some guys can just go up there and do it."

Fans can once again participate in the Home Run Derby Fan Poll. Fans will have the opportunity to select three players in each league who they would most like to see participate in the Derby, which is part of Gatorade All-Star Workout Day and will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN Deportes and ESPN Radio in the United States beginning at 8 p.m. ET the night before the 83rd annual All-Star Game.