Teoscar Hernández proves he’s worth it: 6 key takeaways from the 2024 Home Run Derby

ARLINGTON, Texas — One Year Later Vladimir Guerrero Jr. made history when he joined his father as Home Run Derby ChampionYoung Guerrero wasn’t in the competition to defend his crown. But he was on the court.

And that is another key figure in the family’s exploits.

Seventeen years ago, Dino Ebel pitched to the elder Guerrero when he won the 2007 Home Run Derby. On Monday at Globe Life Field in Texas, Ebel won on the mound again when Dodgers third base coach and phenomenal batting practice helped Teoscar Hernandez became the first Dodgers player to win a derby.

On the side, a familiar face appeared at the party.

As Hernández celebrated his victory, a 14-13 win in the final round over Bobby Witt Jr. when Bobby Witt Jr.’s potential derby-tying hit hit the bottom of the wall in center field, Vlad Jr. hung the 2024 Home Run Derby championship chain around his former Toronto teammate’s neck while wearing Hernández’s old jersey. Blue Jay sweater.

“What he did was one of the biggest surprises tonight,” Hernández said.

With the support of both former and current teammates, Hernández defeated many potential candidates for the MVP title.

While other stars were invited early to this year’s Home Run Derby, Hernández had to lobby to get on the field. He was the last contestant to be announced.

He was also the last man standing.

Ebel finds rhythm with Hernández by watching the player’s shoulders. When they drop, Ebel knows Hernández is ready to throw.

In the first round, Hernández told Ebel that he wanted to pass the ball to the middle or the middle up.

“After we got up, he said, ‘Dino, throw it down the middle and let me do my thing,'” Ebel recalled.

Hernández always wanted to play in the derby but didn’t get an invite during the 2021 All-Star season in Toronto. When he got his first chance, he didn’t miss it.

“I’m here,” Hernández said confidently, just hours after learning he would also be a starter for the All-Star team, replacing the injured Fernando Tatis Jr. at center, “and I’m just as talented as all those guys.”

Here are some takeaways from the event:

The new bonus period is a turning point

Among the new rules introduced in this year’s derby is an update to the bonus round, which Hernández used to his advantage.

Instead of an automatic 30-second overtime period, the round is now time-limited. Players have three outs to hit as many home runs as possible, and a home run of at least 425 feet during that time adds a fourth out. Hernández hit six home runs in the first bonus round and needed all of them to advance with a home run off hometown hero Adolis García.

“This is my fourth derby,” said Ebel, “and for me, this is the best game for the players. Before, they were all exhausted.”

WE HAVE A RACE

After winning with a home run in the first round, Hernández tied with Alec Bohm with 14 home runs each in the semifinals.

With the new rule, ties after the second and third rounds were decided by a swing-off in which players had three swings to determine the winner. Hernández won the swing-off with two homers to one to advance to the finals.

“I think this new format is great, not only for the participants but also for the fans because it combines the new and old derby styles,” said Pete Alonso.

If Witt’s final fly ball of the final out had been out—the suspense was palpable as the ball flew through the air—there would have been another strike.

But the deep shot failed to materialize in the most exciting round of the event.

A hometown star falls behind

García, representing the home team Rangers, was defeated in the first round. But there was another hometown star who reached the final.

Witt grew up in the Colleyville neighborhood — “I mapped my house today, 20 minutes from here,” he said before the event — and there were plenty of relatives and friends in attendance.

Six years after winning the 2018 High School Home Run Derby, he came within inches of winning the big one and had the crowd behind him in the final round. Like Hernández with the Dodgers, Witt would be the first Royal to win the event.

Coming into the event, he had the longest home run (468 feet), longest average home run distance (417.9 feet) and most guaranteed home runs (12) of anyone in the field this season.

Power-off?

Last year, Julio Rodríguez set a derby record with 41 home runs in the opening round. This year, no one has hit more than 21 home runs in a single round. The typical offensive environment at Globe Life Field, which hit more home runs in the regular season last year than any other venue, has not played out.

Certainly, the new rules played a role. This year, while rounds were still timed, players could only see a maximum of 40 pitches per round, which penalized them for making shots and limited the number of swings they could take. Next year, perhaps more star power will bring more realism.

Only three of the 13 professional players with at least 20 home runs this season are participating in the derby. Of the 10 players who hit a home run at least 450 feet this year, Witt is the only one to participate in the event.

Shohei Ohtani said he was interested in participating and might participate next year. He has been discouraged this year as he continues to rehabilitate his elbow in hopes of playing next season.

What sets Shohei Ohtani apart from MLB’s other top talents

Longest explosion?

The mark belongs to Marcell Ozuna, who hit a 473-foot shot in the first round, becoming the longest shot at Globe Life Field by a foot. Mike Trout (April 14, 2022) and Seth Brown (July 10, 2021) each hit a 472-foot shot in regular-season competition.

However, Ozuna was eliminated after hitting 16 home runs in the first round.

Is this Alonso’s stop in the derby?

No one loves the event like the Polar Bear, but the event didn’t love him back on Monday. Only Gunnar Henderson hit fewer home runs than Alonso’s 12 in the first round, as both players were eliminated early.

It was a second consecutive first-round exit and a third straight defeat for Alonso, the 2019 and 2021 champion and the only driver to take part in five consecutive derbies.

Even in defeat, Alonso called it a blessing to have the opportunity and said he was still “excited” to be involved in the event.

“This is an event that I’ve really admired since I was a kid,” Alonso said. “I basically do this for myself when I was 7 and 8 years old.”

Would he want to do it again? That remains to be seen.

“It was really fun and I enjoyed taking part in it,” he said.

Rowan Kavner is an MLB writer for FOX Sports. He previously covered the LA Dodgers, LA Clippers, and Dallas Cowboys. A graduate of LSU, Rowan was born in California, grew up in Texas, then moved back to the West Coast in 2014. Follow him on Twitter at @RowanKavner.

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