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Teoscar Hernández is the new champion of the MLB Home Run Derby.
Hernandez beat Kansas City Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. in the final round of the Home Run Derby on Monday at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, after a very interesting rendition of the national anthem. Hernandez barely edged out Witt in the final round, as Witt’s last attempt, which could have tied Hernandez, fell just short.
Hernandez is the first Los Angeles Dodgers player to win the Home Run Derby and the seventh Dominican-born player to win the event. His victory also earned him a $1 million bonus.
This year, the Derby had some notable changes that sped up the event a bit. All eight players made it through the first round and then the top four players (Hernandez, Witt, Alec Bohm and Jose Ramirez) advanced to a final four. Pete Alonso, who was seeking his third Derby win, Adolis Garcia, Gunnar Henderson and Marcell Ozuna were eliminated in the first round.
Witt beat Ramirez in their semifinal battle by hitting 17 home runs in the round. Ramirez hit just four home runs on his first 25 pitches in that round.
Hernandez then beat Bohm in a thrilling semi-final after each player hit 14 home runs in their battle for a spot in the final.
Hernandez was first up in the championship round and looked a little tired right away. He hit just four homers on his first 14 pitches before his timeout, but he came out strong and hit five of his next six homers to finish with 11 homers before his bonus round, in which he added three more homers to reach 14.
With that number to top, Witt also came out slow. He missed his first five hits and then called timeout with just four homers and 15 pitches remaining. A strong finish, however, brought him to 11 in regulation, matching Hernandez’s mark.
But Witt missed his first two shots in the bonus round, immediately putting him at a disadvantage. Although he hit two home runs to give himself a chance, his final attempt stopped just short of the center-field wall.
That officially gave Hernandez the title.
MLB’s All-Star weekend will conclude with the All-Star Game on Tuesday. The season will resume on Friday.
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Teoscar Hernandez is your Home Run Derby champion
Bobby Witt Jr. needed three home runs in his bonus round to catch Teoscar Hernandez in the Home Run Derby final. He hit two. Hernandez secured the crown with 14 homers in a thrilling finale in which Witt fell short.
Hernandez had 11 homers in regulation and then hit three more in his bonus round to set the number at 14.
Witt matched him with 11 homers in regulation, then hit two in the bonus round with two outs remaining. On his final out, Witt hit a ball to deep center field that had a chance.
But it bounced off the wall and stayed in the park to secure the title for Hernandez.
