Teoscar Hernández Wins 2024 Home Run Derby over Bobby Witt Jr., Electrifies MLB Fans
Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacek
Featured Columnist IVJuly 16, 2024
Teoscar Hernández is a Home Run Derby champion.
The Los Angeles Dodgers slugger defeated Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals in the final of the 2024 edition of the annual event at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, on Monday. The victor launched 14 home runs in the final, which eclipsed the challenger by a single long ball.
It appeared as if Witt might have forced a swing-off in the dramatic final with his last pitch, but the deep fly ball hit the wall and just missed getting over the fence.
Social media had plenty of reaction to the contest:
Noah Camras @noahcamrasTeoscar Hernández has wanted to do the Home Run Derby his entire career.<br><br>He had a smile on his face from the moment it began.<br><br>He just won the 2024 event, becoming the first Dodger ever to win the whole thing.<br><br>What a moment for Hernàndez and what a moment for the Dodgers.
Hernández prevailed in a Home Run Derby that featured new rules than in recent years.
There was no bracket in the first round, as all eight competitors attempted to hit as many home runs as possible with the top four advancing to the semifinals. The semifinals were seeded based on first-round homers with the No. 1 seed facing the No. 4 seed and the No. 2 seed facing the No. 3 seed with the two winners advancing to the final.
Hitters were limited to whichever came first between three minutes and 40 pitches in the first two rounds, while the numbers were changed to two minutes and 27 pitches in the final. They also had the opportunity to earn bonus outs by launching long enough home runs.
Here is a look at the round-by-round results.
First Round
- Alec Bohm, Philadelphia Phillies: 21 homers (semifinalist)
- Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals: 20 homers (semifinalist)
- Adolis García, Texas Rangers: 18 homers
- Teoscar Hernández, Los Angeles Dodgers: 19 homers (semifinalist)
- Pete Alonso, New York Mets: 12 homers
- José Ramírez, Cleveland Guardians: 21 homers (semifinalist)
- Marcell Ozuna, Atlanta Braves: 16 homers
- Gunnar Henderson, Baltimore Orioles: 11 homers
The biggest development in the first round was Pete Alonso hitting just 12 home runs and quickly being eliminated.
After all, the New York Mets slugger is a two-time champion in this event and had an opportunity to tie Ken Griffey Jr. for the most Home Run Derby titles in a career with three. However, a disappointing first round prevented him from even challenging for the mark.
There was also plenty of disappointment for the home fans in Texas, as Adolis García of the Rangers did not advance past the first round. He failed to hit a single home run with his bonus outs, which derailed his chances despite the crowd support.
Semfinals
- No. 3 seed Bobby Witt Jr. defeats No. 2 seed José Ramírez, 17-12
- No. 4 seed Teoscar Hernández defeats No. 1 seed Alec Bohm, 16-15
The semifinals meant head-to-head showdowns, and the first one was between the face of the Royals in Witt and the face of the Cleveland Guardians in José Ramírez. Yet Ramírez never truly threatened after Witt set the tone with 17 long balls, which clinched the latter's spot in the final.
There was more drama in the other semifinal.
Alec Bohm and Hernández each hit 14 home runs, prompting a swing off where each competitor was given three swings. Hernández launched homers on each of his final two swings, which was enough to reach the final.
Finals
- Teoscar Hernández defeats Bobby Witt Jr., 14-13
Hernández parlayed the momentum from the drama-filled swing-off in the semifinal into an excellent performance in the final with the trophy hanging in the balance.
There was only so much Witt could do at that point, but he put up quite the challenge by hitting the wall on his last swing.
B/R Recommends
