ESPN analyst likes Matt Holliday's chances in Home Run Derby

Garciaparra said Holliday would launch baseballs high up into the football sky boxes in center field at the ballpark in Oakland.

“If they had the window open, somebody would have a souvenir,” Garciaparra said. “It is unbelievable. We would all marvel. Even on our team, there were times in batting practice where guys would stop taking ground balls and just watch to see how far he would hit it.”

Holliday, the St. Louis Cardinals All-Star outfielder from Stillwater, will make his third appearance in the Home Run Derby on Monday night. In 2007, he tied for third place with 13 home runs. Last year, he managed only five home runs in finishing fifth, although his 497-foot homer was the longest of the competition.

Garciaparra expects Holliday's experience will prove beneficial on Monday night in Phoenix.

“Knowing what it's about, I think this time he might fare a lot better,” he said.

However, ESPN analyst John Kruk said Holliday's swing might work against him in the competition.

“I think it could be a detriment to him because he's such a line drive hitter with unbelievable power,” Kruk said. “Can he elevate the ball enough to win this? He can. I don't know if he's able to do it in this format, though. So I think he's at a disadvantage because of the fact that he's such a line drive hitter.”

Holliday, who had 14 home runs entering Saturday's action despite missing 13 games with a left quadriceps injury, is looking forward to another opportunity.