Adley Rutschman looking forward to 'father-son experience of a lifetime' at HR Derby

When Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman was a kid he'd go to the local park for batting practice. Rutschman's father would be the pitcher. Fast-forward to Monday night -- Rutschman's an All-Star and he'll be participating in the Home Run Derby. And his dad will be his pitcher.

“I’ve been doing it for a long time with him,” Rutschman said, via The Baltimore Banner. “That’s why I feel like it means so much, just because we’ve had so many BP sessions, so many fake Home Run Derby games — he’s always been the guy.”

Rutschman is considered one of the best catchers in baseball, but his power at the plate is still developing. He has the ability to hit it deep, but his 12 home runs this season rank No. 73 in the majors. In fact, he's the No. 8 seed in the derby and will take on No. 1 seed Luis Robert Jr. in the first round. Underdog status aside, Rutschman and his father Randy are living the dream.

“We had played this fantasy out quite a few times in our life," Randy explained. "I think for him and I, it was kind of like, we were surprised, but I think it was unspoken that I would throw to him if he ever did it.”

Well, he's doing it. They're doing it. The father-son duo has practiced together of late and this story is the kind that represents how great the game of baseball can be.