MLB to show off young talent as Home Run Derby participants announced

Major League Baseball has seen an incredible influx of young, talented players this season. Kris Bryant may have dominated the headlines in March, but players like Joc Pederson, Joey Gallo and Miguel Sano have all impressed at different points during the year.

Combine those prospects with established youngsters like Bryce Harper, Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts, and it becomes pretty clear that MLB should be marketing their youngsters like crazy.

The League appears to have gotten the memo based on this year's Home Run Derby participants.

Bryant, Pederson and Machado will get a chance to show off their skills during the Derby. All three players are just 23 years old, and have shown signs of greatness this season. Machado seems like a veteran at this point, but he's really taken his game to another level this year.

Joining them is an intriguing mix of veterans. Albert Pujols already announced his participation in the event, so it's no surprise seeing him here. It's also not a shock to see hometown guy Todd Frazier in the Derby.

It's great to see Prince Fielder back in the Derby after injuries sunk his production the past couple seasons. It's tough to argue with Josh Donaldson or Anthony Rizzo given their numbers this season.

The young talent may be the big story going in, but the new bracket format will do no favors for those players.

Pederson and Machado will go head-to-head immediately, meaning one is going to be forced out early. Bryant has the tough task of knocking out Pujols during Round 1. It's not impossible, but it's tough to expect a Derby rookie to come in and take on a veteran like Pujols.

At the same time, the new timed format makes it tough to project what will happen. Do the veterans even have an edge anymore? Perhaps the Home Run Derby has become a young man's game now?

Whether or not Pederson, Machado or Bryant perform well doesn't really matter. Putting them on a national stage is good for the game, especially with Bryce Harper bowing out of the event.

These players will clearly play a big role in the future of the game, so giving them a chance to showcase their skills early is fantastic. With this announcement, baseball has made it clear: The future has arrived!