The winner of the 2024 MLB Home Run Derby is Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernandez, who defeated Kansas City Royals phenom Bobby Witt Jr. in a thrilling game at Globe Life Field on Monday night.
This year’s derby had a new format, with the top four teams progressing to the semi-finals before playing each other as normal.
Hernandez hit 14 home runs in the final round and could only sit back and watch as Witt got a chance to hit the tying or walk-off home run.
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Teoscar Hernandez, wearing number 37 for the Los Angeles Dodgers, steps to bat during the T-Mobile Home Run Derby at Globe Life Field on July 15, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Stacey Revere/Getty Images)
Witt reached the bonus round with 11 home runs, but needed three to tie Hernandez and four for a walk-off win.
With one out and only one home run away from tying the score, Witt launched a 102 mph homer with a nice angle toward center field.
However, his hit flew to the deepest part of the ballpark and crashed into the wall, just a few feet away from being out.
Hernandez watched the ball fly through the air and celebrated when he saw it stay in the goal.
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At 31, Hernandez is the oldest player to win the Home Run Derby since David Ortiz, who won at age 34 in 2010.
Hernandez, who is tied for 14th in MLB with 19 home runs so far this season, had long hoped to take part in the hallowed All-Star Weekend festivities and got the win with help from former Toronto Blue Jays teammate Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Kansas City Royals player Bobby Witt Jr. (No. 7) hits a home run during the semifinals of the T-Mobile Home Run Derby at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas on July 15, 2024. (Jean Wang/Getty Images)
The semifinal matchup between Hernandez and Philadelphia Phillies star Alec Bohm was an exciting one as it took just three swings for both men to hit a combined 14 home runs.
Hernandez, the lower seed, batted first and hit two home runs in three swings. Bohm needed one in the bonus round to advance to the final round, but he couldn’t get that done. He only hit one in three swings and was eliminated.
That swing-off might not have happened if Bohm’s final swing of the semifinal round hadn’t been foul — it had distance, sure, but it didn’t stay inside the left-field foul pole.
Witt had an easier game in the semifinals, beating Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez, 17 to 12. While Bohm and Hernandez battled at the plate, Witt had time to refresh.
New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso, who was seeking his third Home Run Derby victory in five consecutive appearances, failed to get out of the first round under the new format, which allows only the top four players to advance.
Los Angeles Dodgers player Teoscar Hernandez (No. 37) hits a home run during the T-Mobile Home Run Derby at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas on July 15, 2024. (Jean Wang/Getty Images)
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Baltimore Orioles phenom Gunnar Henderson had the fewest home runs in the first round with 11, while Atlanta Braves veteran slugger Marcell Ozuna and local favorite Adolis Garcia also failed to advance to the next round.
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