Teoscar Hernández Wins 2024 Home Run Derby over Bobby Witt Jr., Electrifies MLB Fans

Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekFeatured Columnist IVJuly 16, 2024

Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images

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.

MLB @MLBIt came down to the last swing!!! 😱

What a thrilling ending to the #HRDerby pic.twitter.com/pvlS2MAekz

Social media had plenty of reaction to the contest:

Bleacher Report @BleacherReportTEOSCAR HERNÁNDEZ IS THE 2024 HOME RUN DERBY CHAMPION 🏆

The first player in Dodgers history to win the Derby 🔥 pic.twitter.com/cIe4DFs4ck

Bruce Kuntz @Bnicklaus7Teoscar Hernández is so easy to root for man. Such a cool guy

Dodger Insider @DodgerInsiderMaking this even more impressive, Teoscar Hernández was hit by a pitch on the forearm on Sunday in Detroit.

Patrick Mahomes II @PatrickMahomesNoooooooooooooooooooo

Jameson Taillon @JTaillon50How many pitchers have given up a homer to both Teoscar and Witt? 😂 pic.twitter.com/dRivWyThz1

FOX Sports: MLB @MLBONFOXHow the ball looked coming off of the bat of Teoscar Hernández tonight pic.twitter.com/CNPI27jLfe

Ben Axelrod @BenAxelrodThat home run derby was an absolute blast. Underrated sporting event.

B/R Walk-Off @BRWalkoffWHAT A SHOW BY TEO AND BOBBY

Los Angeles Dodgers @DodgersTHE HOME RUN DERBY KING, TEOSCAR HERNÁNDEZ! #HRDerby pic.twitter.com/KHEF4blhya

Dodgers Nation @DodgersNationTeoscar Hernández has become the first Dodger ever to win the Home Run Derby!

EXTEND THIS MAN ASAP!!! pic.twitter.com/bFZwtPx3C2

Noah Camras @noahcamrasTeoscar Hernández has wanted to do the Home Run Derby his entire career.

He had a smile on his face from the moment it began.

He just won the 2024 event, becoming the first Dodger ever to win the whole thing.

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 homersTeoscar Hernández, Los Angeles Dodgers: 19 homers (semifinalist)Pete Alonso, New York Mets: 12 homersJosé Ramírez, Cleveland Guardians: 21 homers (semifinalist)
Marcell Ozuna, Atlanta Braves: 16 homers 
Gunnar Henderson, Baltimore Orioles: 11 homersThe 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.

B/R Walk-Off @BRWalkoffPete Alonso has been eliminated from the Home Run Derby pic.twitter.com/u3v9TG5yo4

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, 17-12No. 4 seed Teoscar Hernández defeats No. 1 seed Alec Bohm, 16-15The 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.

B/R Walk-Off @BRWalkoffTeoscar Hernández with 1️⃣4️⃣ homers in the semifinals!

(via @MLB)pic.twitter.com/iF4EkAf2GV

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., 14-13Hernández 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.