MLB Home Run Derby Lineup: Meet the participants for All-Star Weekend's showcase event ft. Teoscar Hernandez, Gunnar Henderson and more
The Home Run Derby is here. At 8 pm EST on Monday, July 15, some of the best and brightest sluggers in the sport will enter Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas, and try to earn their crown by hitting more balls out of the park than the other seven contestants. Here's everyone who will be on the field for tonight's festivities.
MLB Home Run Derby contestants
Though much has been said about the lack of star power in the field tonight, here are the participants in the All-Star Weekend's showcase:
- Pete Alonso
- Gunnar Henderson
- Alec Bohm
- Teoscar Hernandez
- Jose Ramirez
- Bobby Witt Jr.
- Marcell Ozuna
- Adolis Garcia
Naturally, Pete Alonso is the headliner. The New York Mets star is the betting favorite to win, which would mark his third victory. He's been in the Derby several times and notably enjoys it more than other players.
Gunnar Henderson was the first player to confirm his entry in the Derby. Aside from Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani, there's no player in baseball with more home runs than the Baltimore Orioles star, who has matched his 2023 season total already.
Adolis Garcia will try to become the fourth player ever to win the contest in his home ballpark for the Texas Rangers. Jose Ramirez is making his second Home Run Derby appearance. Marcell Ozuna, Alec Bohm, Bobby Witt Jr., Henderson and Teoscar Hernandez will be making their debuts.
For the first time, there won't be seeds. Alonso probably would have been the first seed, but he won't take on Bohm as the eighth seed this time. Instead, the first round is a free-for-all, and the top four players will advance.
Then, the seeding is determined by the number of home runs hit. It will then become a one vs. four and two vs. three match-ups, with the winners facing each other in the third and final round.
The format is also slightly different this year. Sluggers get three minutes (excluding any bonus time) or 40 pitches, whichever comes first. In the third round, hitters will be given just two minutes (excluding any bonus time) or 27 pitches to do damage.