Teoscar Hernandez makes Dodgers history with Home Run Derby win

Teoscar Hernández always wanted to compete in the Home Run Derby, and on Monday night he lived that dream out to the fullest by being the first Dodger to win the competition.

Hernández came into the derby leading all National League outfielders in home runs, making him the perfect candidate for the derby.

He struggled to find a grove to start the first round, managing to hit six home runs through half of his time allowed.

After Hernández's time out he began to get momentum, hitting another seven homers. Then after the bonus round, he racked up 19 homers, which was just enough to get him into the final four. His longest bomb of the first round went 466 feet.

In the semifinals, Hernández went up against the first seed, Alec Bohm. Hernández went first and struggled for the first minute and a half, only hitting three home runs.

He did better after his timeout hitting 10 more, then one in the bonus round to get to 14 home runs. Bohm tied him, leading to a swing-off to determine who went to the finals. Hernández hit two home runs, and Bohm only hit one, sending the Dodgers slugger to the finals.

For the final round, Hernández went up against Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals. Hernández went first and smashed 14 homers. Witt Jr. got to 13 home runs in his bonus round but was not able to hit another, giving Hernández the title.

Hernández chose third base coach Dino Ebel to pitch to him. Ebel has a long history of throwing in the derby. Vladimir Guerrero Sr. won the derby in 2007 with Ebel on the mound. He also threw to Albert Pujols in 2015 and Joc Pederson in 2019