Gary Sanchez fires back at Logan Morrison on Derby snub: 'Not my fault he wasn't invited'

After Tampa Bay Rays veteran Logan Morrison bemoaned his exclusion from the Home Run Derby at the expense of second-year New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez, the second-year slugger responded Wednesday morning. 

"It's not my fault he wasn't selected," Sanchez told reporters, via an interpreter.

"They gave me an invitation. That's something I have no control over." 

Sanchez is correct: Major League Baseball extended him an invite to join star teammate Aaron Judge, Kansas City Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas and Minnesota Twins slugger Miguel Sano on the AL side for the July 10 Derby at Miami's Marlins Park. 

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Representing the National League: Hometown sluggers Giancarlo Stanton and Justin Bour of the Marlins, Los Angeles Dodgers rookie Cody Bellinger and Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon.

Left out: Morrison, the 29-year-old first baseman whose 24 home runs are already a career high. They're also 11 more than Sanchez's 13 long balls

“Gary shouldn’t be there. Gary’s a great player, but he shouldn’t be in the Home Run Derby," Morrison told the Tampa Bay Times.

“I remember when I had 14 home runs. That was a month and a half ago.”

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In Sanchez's defense, his prodigious homers and sudden ascendance - he equaled the major league record for fewest games to reach 20 career home runs last season - certainly give him wide appeal. He missed a month this season due to a strained right biceps, after creating significant expectations in finishing second in the AL Rookie of the Year balloting.

And therein likely lies the rub of Morrison's beef. Bellinger, Sanchez, Sano and Judge - all 25 or younger - represent the emerging stars MLB would love to showcase on such a stage. Heck, Bryce Harper's still just 24, and he'll be back in the Derby next year when the All-Star festivities are at Nationals Park. Harper also competed in the 2013 Home Run Derby. 

Morrison? His sudden power clout this season certainly makes him a fine selection. Alas, he's finding out that Madison Avenue potential - or at least a few more younger eyeballs on a frivolous but well-watched event - sometimes wins out over major league service time.

Also: Sanchez’s average distance of 427 feet on his home runs leads major leaguers who have at least 10 home runs.

As for whether Morrison has a case over Sanchez’s qualifications, Sanchez said, “the question really should be toward them (MLB) and let them answer that.

“To me, it’s just an opportunity and an honor to be a part of the Derby.’’

Contributing: Pete Caldera, The (Bergen County, N.J.) Record