Mark Trumbo talks about the Home Run Derby

The Orioles' Mark Trumbo is the major league leader with 26 home runs and the top seed for Monday's eight-player Home Run Derby competition at the All-Star game.

It is an event that he looks forward to and said he will enjoy. But just how important is this event to Trumbo?

"Not very," he said this afternoon in the Orioles clubhouse. "It is a lot of fun, but is not something I'm going to lose too much sleep over. I'm going to give the best effort I can. Hopefully it works out, but if it doesn't, it's a fun event. It is really for the fan enjoyment."

Will he practice?

"I feel like it's something I do already," he said. "It's something that, I'm not going to change any of my ...I mean these games are far more important than the Home Run Derby, so I'll keep my routine pretty consistent."

Trumbo was in the competition in 2012 and finished third. The format has changed since then and now he will face the Los Angeles Dodgers' Corey Seager in the first round in a one-on-one matchup. Should he advance, Trumbo would face the winner between Seattle's Robinson Cano and Miami's Giancarlo Stanton in the semifinals.

"It can be extremely tiring," Trumbo said. "I don't think there is any way around that. I think maybe the first year, I warmed up a tad too much. I did do fine in the competition itself, but it's grueling. You're obviously going to swing hard, the big thing is to take things down a tick. Because your adrenaline (will be going), there is no way around it. There's a lot people there and a lot of people watching. You have to control it as best you can."

Manny Machado competed in the derby last year and lost in round one to the Dodgers' Joc Pederson. Machado feels Trumbo could become the third Oriole to win the Home Run Derby, joining Cal Ripken Jr. (1991) and Miguel Tejada (2004).

"It's going to be fun," Machado said. "I see it every day. I think he has a good chance of winning. He doesn't have to change his swing at all. Going to be excited to see him on the big stage and I'm grateful that I'll have a front row seat to be watching."

Does Machado have any advice for Trumbo? Will he be there with a towel or drink if he needs it Monday?

"I think the big guy's got it," Machado said. "Maybe give him some water or a banana. He has a good chance, but most important, I think he'll enjoy himself and have a good time with his family and friends."

Trumbo said Jeff Ruiz, the Orioles' batting practice pitcher and bullpen catcher, will throw to him on Monday night in San Diego.