Teoscar Hernández won the 2024 Home Run Derby at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, beating Bobby Witt Jr. in the final to become the Los Angeles Dodgers’ first winner.
Hernández hit 14 home runs in the first round, then outlasted Alec Bohm on a swing-off in the semifinals, ultimately besting the young Kansas City Royals shortstop 14-13 – with Witt hitting the wall on his final swing of the night.
Bohm was the big surprise Monday after entering the break with just 11 home runs. The Philadelphia Phillies third baseman belted 21 as the Derby’s leadoff hitter, which would finish as the joint-best total in the first round.
Witt defeated Cleveland’s Jose Ramirez 17-12 in the other semifinal.
Two-time champion Pete Alonso finished seventh (of eight) with 12 home runs in the first round.
Here’s how the Derby unfolded:
Teoscar Hernández : 14 – The Dodgers slugger got hot and finished with 14 homers, at one point hitting five on six swings coming out of a timeout.
Bobby Witt Jr. : 13 – Started slow but finished strong, earning himself a bonus swing in the bonus round. On the last swing of the night, Witt hit the wall in left-center field
Teoscar Hernández : 14 — Batting first, the Dodgers outfielder hit 14 homers, putting the pressure on Bohm – who hasn't hit in nearly two hours
Alec Bohm : 14 – Bohm nearly walked it off at the end of regular time and then was unable to capitalize on bonus time to hit a winner, forcing a swing off.
Tiebreaking swing off: Hernández 2, Bohm 1 (in three swings)
Bobby Witt : 17 – The young Royals shortstop had a strong round but was unable to tack on in bonus time, which could come back to bite him.
Jose Ramirez : 12 – Hitting second in the semifinal, the Guardians third baseman came up short against his AL Central rival.
The top four from the first round advanced to the semifinals
- Alec Bohm – 21
- Jose Ramirez – 21
- Bobby Witt Jr. – 20
- Teoscar Hernández – 19
- Adolis Garcia – 18
- Marcell Ozuna – 16
- Pete Alonso – 12
- Gunnar Henderson – 11
Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson managed just 11 home runs as the final hitter of the first round, the fewest of any hitter on the night. Henderson's 28 home runs before the All-Star break were the most of any player in the Derby.
Alec Bohm, Jose Ramirez, Bobby Witt Jr. and Tesocar Hernández are on to the semifinals.
Atlanta slugger Marcell Ozuna won’t reach the semifinals after hitting 16 home runs in his round. He had been one of the favorites entering the night. Ozuna's 473-foot homer in the longest of the night so far.
The Guardians switch-hitter booked his place in the semifinals with 21 home runs batting from the right side, tying Alec Bohm for the first-round lead.
The two-time Derby champion is already eliminated, hitting just 12 home runs in his round. Was unable to find a rhythm and pitcher Dave Jauss wasn’t doing him any favors, constantly throwing high and inside.
Ken Griffey Jr. will remain the only three-time winner.
The Dodgers outfielder finished his round with 19 longballs, equaling his first-half total in his first season with the Dodgers.
Halfway through the first round now, the first four hitters all finished between 18 and 20.
Rangers outfielder Adolis Garcia hit 18 homers in the first round, playing in his home ballpark. He had the crowd fired up, but finished behind the first two hitter – Alec Bohm with 20 and Bobby Witt Jr. with 19.
Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. clubbed 20 home runs in his opening round, the right-handed hitter pepping the left field seats. He tacked on a few in the bonus time, but finished behind leadoff hitter Bohm.
Entering the Derby with the worst odds to win, Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm came out hot with an impressive 21 home runs in the first round, setting a pretty high bar.
Bohm only had 11 home runs before the All-Star break, which would be the fewest by any Home Run Derby winner.
The national anthem got a lot of attention!
The 2024 Home Run Derby at Globe Life Field features eight participants:
- Pete Alonso, Mets
- Alec Bohm, Phillies
- Adolis Garcia, Rangers
- Gunnar Henderson, Orioles
- Teoscar Hernández, Dodgers
- Marcell Ozuna, Braves
- Jose Ramirez, Guardians
- Bobby Witt Jr., Royals
The 2024 Home Run Derby will no longer be a strict tournament style, as we've seen in the past. Instead, all eight hitters will compete against one another in the first round, with the four best performers advancing to the semifinals and seeded 1-4 based on how many home runs they hit in the first round. Tiebreakers will be determined by each hitter's longest home run.
Through the first two rounds, each hitter will have three minutes, or 40 total pitches (whichever comes first), to rack up as many home runs as they can. Each will be granted one 45-second timeout that cannot be used during bonus time (which is awarded for home runs longer than 425 feet). The finals will only grant hitters two minutes or 27 pitches (excluding bonus time).
Globe Life Field opened in 2020:
- Left field line: 329 feet
- Left field power alley: 372 feet
- Center field: 407 feet
- Deepest parts (left and right of CF): 410 feet
- Right field power alley: 374 feet
- Right field line: 326 feet
Here's a look at the Home Run Derby champions from the past 20 years:
- 2023: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays
- 2022: Juan Soto, Nationals
- 2021: Pete Alonso, Mets
- 2020: Not held (COVID)
- 2019: Pete Alonso, Mets
- 2018: Bryce Harper, Nationals
- 2017: Aaron Judge, Yankees
- 2016: Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins
- 2015: Todd Frazier, Reds
- 2014: Yoenis Cespedes, Athletics
- 2013: Yoenis Cespedes, Athletics
- 2012: Prince Fielder, Tigers
- 2011: Robinson Cano, Yankees
- 2010: David Ortiz, Red Sox
- 2009: Prince Fielder, Brewers
- 2008: Justin Morneau, Twins
- 2007: Vladimir Guerrero, Angels
- 2006: Ryan Howard, Phillies
- 2005: Bobby Abreu, Phillies
- 2004: Miguel Tejada, Orioles
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2024 MLB Home Run Derby highlights: Teoscar Hernández becomes first Dodgers champion
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