Ballpark Guide to the Jarritos Triple-A Home Run Derby

Eight sluggers from the Pacific Coast League and the International League will test their bats in the 2019 Jarritos Triple-A Home Run Derby tonight at Southwest University Park, beginning at 7 p.m.

Coincidently enough, the derby will take place in El Paso's hitter-friendly park and will be a treat for El Pasoans to watch.

Here's some key information for the home run derby:

Who's participating? 

Pacific Coast League: 

• Kevin Cron (Reno) - 29 home runs
• Kyle Tucker (Round Rock) - 24 home runs
• Yasmany Tomas (Reno) - 25 home runs
• Ty France (El Paso) - 19 home runs

International League

• Mike Ford (Scranton/Wilkes-Barre) - 19 home runs
• Brandon Barnes (Columbus) - 20 home runs
• Travis Demeritte (Gwinnett) - 18 home runs
• Deivy Grullon (Lehigh Valley) - 12 home runs

Nuggets around the ballpark 

Triple-A All-Star week kicks off with an autograph session, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., which will feature participants who will play in Wednesday's RMHC All-Star Game.

All fans in attendance will be given a rally towel that relates to a specific derby player, and fans are encouraged to cheer for their respective player that matches their rally towel section color. The on-field emcee will be Domingo Ayala, YouTube sensation and "beisbol" connoisseur, while we will

YouTube sensation and aspiring “beisbol” instructor, Domingo Ayala, will bring his “Theory of Beisbol” to El Paso for the Jarritos Home Run Derby and 600 ESPN El Paso will broadcast the event.

The derby itself will include three rounds, where each player will have three minutes to hit as many home runs as possible. During the last 30 seconds of each trial, it will be the "money ball"—every money ball hit for a home run will result in the Chihuahuas donating $150 up to $5,000 to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Who are the favorites? 

Reno's Kevin Cron leads all of Minor League Baseball with 29 homers this season and has already surpassed his career-high 27 home runs from the 2015 season. Cron, who boasts a .340 batting average and has 80 RBI on the season, also leads Triple-A in slugging (.840).

Right behind Cron is his teammate, Yasmany Tomas, who has bolted 25 homers this year and is currently on a three-game home run streak. Both Kyle Tucker and Ty France have hit only one home run in the last 10 games for their respective clubs.

All the international players have hit four or fewer home runs through the last 10 games for their team but in terms of longevity, Columbus' Brandon Barnes leads all competitors with 144 homers throughout his career in the minors. Even though Lehigh Valley's Deivy Grullon only has 12 home runs this year, he's coming off a Double-A Eastern League home run derby crowning last year.

Where to catch the derby 

You can listen to the 2019 Jarritos Triple-A All-Star Home Run Derby on 600 ESPN El Paso at 7 p.m., with Steve Kaplowitz and Tim Hagerty on the broadcast.