PHOENIX -- Yes, Paul Goldschmidt is a home run hitter.
And yes, he will be in town when the home run derby is held during All-Star Game festivities in Minneapolis.
But no, Goldschmidt is not a candidate for the derby.
"It's not something, if they asked, that I would be interested in doing," Goldschmidt said politely.
You could see it coming.
It really is not his style.
"You guys have seen me hitting out there," Goldschmidt said of his daily batting practice routine.
"It is not something I am doing during batting practice. Not even trying. I don't think I would do very good if I did try."
Games are another story. Goldschmidt tied for the NL lead with 36 home runs in 2013 and has 79 homers since his promotion to the majors on Aug. 1, 2011, tied for third in NL from that point.
He will be around to critique the derby, which is held the day before the July 15 All-Star Game. Goldschmidt holds a big lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers' Adrian Gonzalez in the fan voting at first base with about nine days remaining in the balloting. Even if Goldschmidt is passed in the fan voting, he is the D-backs' top candidate, hitting .308 with 28 doubles, 15 homers and 52 RBIs.
Colorado shortstop Troy Tulowitzki was named the National League captain on Tuesday, and he will select four other NL players to complete his team. Toronto's Jose Bautista in the AL captain.
The format has been changed this year. Each player will get seven outs, down from 10, and the top home run hitter from each league receives a bye into the second round of a bracketed format that will pit one hitter from each league in the finals.
Follow Jack Magruder on Twitter
