Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder doesn't seem nervous about competing in the State Farm Home Run Derby Monday night in San Francisco.

Maybe it's the kayakers in McCovey Cove who should be worried.

Fielder, the first Milwaukee player voted into the starting lineup since Paul Molitor in 1988, leads the National League with 29 homers and trails Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez (30) for the major-league lead, is being listed as a strong contender in his first derby.

"It's going to be fun, I think," Fielder said. "I'm not nervous. I just hope I can hit one."

The field includes defending champ Ryan Howard of
Philadelphia, Minnesota's Justin Morneau, St. Louis' Albert Pujols, and Vladimir Guerrero (Los Angeles Angels), Alex Rios (Toronto) and Magglio Ordonez (Detroit). Florida's Miguel Cabrera has been scratched from participating due to a shoulder injury; a replacement has not been named.

The eight participants, four from each league, compete in a traditional playoff system where the players with the most home runs advance to the next round. Each player gets ten "outs" per round, with an out coming on any swing that does not produce a home run.

Four players advance to the second round and the two contestants with the most homers after two rounds compete in a final, with the total reset to zero.

Fielder said he has participated in one home run derby during his pro career. That came before the Class AA All-Star Game when he was with the Huntsville Stars.

"I hit a couple there," he said. "It was all right."

Fielder attended two All-Star Games with his father, Cecil, who participated in the Home Run Derby while playing for Detroit in 1990, '91 and '93. Fielder, who is estranged from his father, hopes to have his children - Jaden and Haven - on the field with him at AT&T Park.

Milwaukee has been represented in three previous derbies and all three participants -- Jeromy Burnitz in 1999, Richie Sexson in 2002 and Carlos Lee in 2005 -- saw their power production dip after the competition.

Brewers hitting coach Jim Skaalen isn't worried about Fielder swinging his way into a slump. "I like to think that he knows what's got him to where he is and he can stay within what he's doing," Skaalen said. "He's a quick study. The at-bats where his swing does leave him, he gets right back on track so quickly."

Brewers outfielder Geoff Jenkins doesn't anticipate any problems for Fielder, either.

"He hits homers in BP every day and it doesn't affect him," Jenkins said. "If he came back (from the Home Run Derby) and started swinging the bat good, would anybody say that (the Derby) was why?

"Prince is going to be fine. He can hit. That's the bottom line. The man can hit."

Because Brewers bench coach Dale Sveum is committed to visiting his family in Phoenix during the break, Fielder's pitcher in the derby will be Mike Guerrero, the manager at Class A West Virginia. Guerrero was Fielder's hitting coach at Class A Beloit in 2003.

Fielder has never homered at AT&T Park, but he is 7 for 11 with two RBI.

Here is a look at past Home Run Derby champs:

2006 -- Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies 23

2005 -- Bobby Abreu, Philadelphia Phillies 41

2004 -- Miguel Tejada, Baltimore Orioles 27

2003 -- Garret Anderson, Anaheim Angels 22

2002 -- Jason Giambi, New York Yankees 24

2001 -- Luis Gonzalez, Arizona Diamondbacks 16

2000 -- Sammy Sosa, Chicago Cubs 26

1999 -- Ken Griffey, Jr., Seattle Mariners 16

1998 -- Ken Griffey, Jr., Seattle Mariners 19

1997 -- Tino Martinez, New York Yankees 16

1996 -- Barry Bonds, San Francisco Giants 17

1995 -- Frank Thomas, Chicago White Sox 15

1994 -- Ken Griffey, Jr., Seattle Mariners 7

1993 -- Juan González, Texas Rangers 7

1992 -- Mark McGwire, Oakland Athletics 12

1991 -- Cal Ripken, Jr., Baltimore Orioles 12

1990 -- Ryne Sandberg, Chicago Cubs 3

1989 -- Eric Davis, Cincinnati Reds 3

1988 -- Canceled due to rain

1987 -- Andre Dawson, Chicago Cubs 4

1986 -- Wally Joyner, California Angels and Darryl Strawbery, New York Mets 4

1985 -- Dave Parker, Cincinnati Reds 6