Watch: MLB fans get hyped as Adolis Garcia takes the stage at 2024 Home Run Derby
Texas Rangers outfielder Adolis Garcia wasn’t selected for the 2024 All-Star Game. However, he did get the opportunity to showcase his batting prowess in front of the Globe Life Field crowd on Monday at the Home Run Derby.
Fans were ecstatic when Garcia was introduced at the mound. In a clip shared by MLB on X/Twitter, as Garcia emerged from the entrance tunnel, Texas fans could be seen clapping, whistling and shouting to welcome their player.
Garcia posed for the camera before taking his place.
The 2024 Home Run Derby was held a day before the MLB All-Star Game in Arlington, Texas featuring top sluggers from both the American League (AL) and National League (NL) competing to hit the most homers.
The current year's event has introduced some new rules. This year, all eight hitters compete against each other in the first round, after which the top four move on to the semifinals.
This format is quite different from previous years, which featured strict head-to-head matchups.
Adolis Garcia hit 18 homers, ranks No. 5 after top players
In the first round of the 2024 Home Run Derby, the Rangers outfielder hit 18 home runs at his home stadium. He finished fifth in the rankings, behind Alec Bohm (21), Jose Ramirez (21), Bobby Witt Jr. (20), and Teoscar Hernandez (19), thus not advancing to the semifinals.
Discussing his outing in the Home Run Derby afterward, Adolis Garcia said, through interpreter Raul Cardenas:
“I was content with my outing. It was very exciting and felt very loved by the fans. I just couldn’t perform the way they wanted me to. I still had a great time.”
García wasn't selected as an All-Star this season because he struggled with hitting for about a month. Despite his slump, he remains one of the top performers for his club with 47 runs, 45 RBIs and 17 homers.
Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. advanced to the finals after hitting 17 home runs, facing Jose Ramirez who had 12. Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernandez advanced to the final after defeating Alec Bohm.
In the final round, Hernandez hit 14 home runs, defeating Witt Jr. who had 13, to win the 2024 Home Run Derby crown.