FAIRFAX, Va. – Former George Mason first baseman Justin Bour will participate in the Home Run Derby at the 88th MLB All-Star Game on Monday night.

Major League Baseball announced last week that Bour, a native of Chantilly, Va., was replacing teammate Marcel Ozuna and will take part in the T-Mobile Home Run Derby to be held on July 10 at Marlins Park. The derby begins at 8 p.m. (EST) on ESPN. Bour, the No. 7 seed, is one of eight players to compete and will be matched up against Gary Sanchez of the New York Yankees in the first round. The player who hits the most home runs in four minutes advances to the next round.

"It was an honor to be asked to participate in the Home Run Derby and to be selected as a Final Vote candidate for the National League All-Star team," Bour said.  "I'm looking forward to representing the Marlins and all George Mason alumni in the Derby on Monday.  I greatly appreciate the votes and publicity for my Final Vote campaign that has been generated by the efforts of the Green and Gold community."

Bour will become the first Mason alum to participate in the MLB Home Run Derby.  He is currently tied for the ninth-most home runs in Major League Baseball with 18. 

The lefty slugger has belted 11 of his home runs this season at Marlins Park and will be one of eight players in the Home Run Derby.

"It has been exciting watching Justin's career bloom, especially now that he has been selected to participate in the MLB All-Star Game Home Run Derby and also being part of the final five vote to make the 2017 National League All-Star Team," Mason head coach Bill Brown said.  "He has worked extremely hard to put himself in this position and it is fantastic to see his efforts rewarded.  I know all of Mason Nation is excited for Justin and proud of his accomplishments."

Bour played at Westfield High School and at Mason from 2006 through 2009.  He ranks tied for second on the Patriots' all-time home run list (46), third in RBI (187) and sixth in slugging percentage (.621). 

The 29-year old has hit 18 home runs in 72 games played this season and needs only five round trippers to match his career high of 23 set during the 2015 season.

His Marlins teammates have joined the campaign to get Bour into the All-Star Game by wearing #VoteBour T-shirts.  If he's selected to participate in the Midsummer Classic, Bour would give the Marlins three representatives, joining outfielders Ozuna and Giancarlo Stanton.

Stanton, who hit 20 home runs in the finals and belted 61 total to win the 2016 Home Run Derby at Petco Park in San Diego, will defend his crown in front of the home fans in Miami.

The MLB All-Star Game is Tuesday, July 11 at Marlins Park with the first pitch scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Finalists for a spot on the National League roster are Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon, Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant, Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner and Rockies first baseman Mark Reynolds.

Voting for the 2017 MLB All-Star Game Final Vote ends at 4 p.m. ET on Thursday.  Fans can vote for Bour by tweeting #VoteBour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 6 and any tweet that includes the hashtag #VoteBour will go toward his final vote.