Kansas City Royals designated hitter Kendrys Morales hopes that his performance this past week leads to a spot in the Home Run Derby next week in San Diego.

The veteran slugger told ESPN on Sunday that he would welcome an invitation from Major League Baseball to take part in the contest, where fellow Cuban Yoenis Cespedes was crowned champion two times in a row before being dethroned last year by Todd Frazier.

“I would like to participate in it. I did it in Cuba and was unable to win; it would be a good opportunity,” he said. “I also did it when I played in the Dominican Republic, so this is the only place where I haven’t done it yet.”

Morales is a strong contender to win the American League Player of the Week Award for the third time in his career, and for the first time since 2010, after batting .577 (15-for-26) with six runs scored, three doubles, four home runs and 10 RBIs over seven games.

The 33-year-old, who has never been named to an All-Star Game roster in his 10-year career in the majors, could potentially become the first member of the defending World Series champions to take home Player of the Week honors this season.

After hitting for a .193 average the first two months of the season, Morales had a slash line of .402/.453/.655 with a 1.108 OPS in June, and has raised his batting average to .264. Still, the DH says he has not changed his approach at the plate.

“I put in a lot of hard work in the offseason, but I could not put it together in the beginning of the season," he said. "But I have not changed anything. It’s just baseball. Things are working now, and I am glad I am able to help the team win.”