Chicago Cubs' Bryant, Rizzo excited for Home Run Derby

Young Cubs stars Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant already were going to the All-Star Game together.

They'll go that one better when both take part in next Monday's Home Run Derby at the Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.

For rookie Bryant, he's got the perfect pitcher picked out.

"My dad," he said. "I think I would probably do it more for him so he can experience it with me and I can share that with him. We always talked about it growing up. Now it's here. So definitely my dad.

"I called him, and he was very excited. I think he's more excited for the Home Run Derby than the game."

The tournament-style competition will pit Bryant, the 8-seed, against top-seeded Albert Pujols of the Los Angeles Angels. Rizzo, the 6-seed, will face 3-seed Josh Donaldson of the Toronto Blue Jays. Bryant and Rizzo could face each other if they qualify for the event's final round.

The other matchups will pit the Dodgers' Joc Pederson against the Orioles' Manny Machado and the Reds' Todd Frazier against the Rangers' Prince Fielder.

Rizzo, who will have Cubs coaching-staff assistant Franklin Font pitch to him, said he's looking forward to sharing the experience with Bryant.

"It's going to be exciting," he said. "Kris and I will really enjoy it. I think everyone that will participate will enjoy it. Yeah he's excited, too. And to do it together, we better put on a good show."

Like many other things, Rizzo said the Home Run Derby is something he dreamed about when he was younger.

"That, winning the World Series, being an all-star, there a lot of things as a kid and now these things are coming true," he said. "It's unbelievable, and I'm just going to have as much fun with it as I can."

Bryant said he wasn't worried about the Derby harming his swing because of the emphasis on hitting the ball out of the park on every pitch.

"You talk to any baseball player, and they'll tell you they're trying to hit homers in BP (batting practice)," he said. "For me, I think it fits my swing."

Minor matters:

Kyle Schwarber hit his second homer of the season Tuesday for Class AAA Iowa. He also had 2 doubles. Schwarber, who was up briefly with the big club last month, entered Wednesday with four games of 3 or more hits at Iowa.

At Class AA Tennessee, right-hander Pierce Johnson is showing he's back from springtime back troubles. He worked 7 innings of 3-hit, 1-run ball in a 3-1 victory over Birmingham. He has 3 straight wins and has yet to give up a home run.

Crosstown pitching matchups:

After an off-day Thursday, the Cubs will welcome the White Sox to Wrigley Field for three games beginning Friday afternoon.

There are some attractive pitching matchups this weekend. The Cubs' Kyle Hendricks takes on lefty Carlos Rodon Friday. Jon Lester, signed to be the Cubs' ace in the off-season, takes on all-star Chris Sale Saturday. Jake Arrieta, who has pitched like an ace for the second straight year, will meet the White Sox' Jose Quintana Sunday.