M🌄LB’s T-Mobile Home Run Derby has be♈en updated for the summer. The 2024 competition is scheduled for July 15 at Globe Life Field in Arlington and will be aired on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET.
The changes are not as significant as those made in 2015 when the event transitioned from an “Outs” system to a clock-based system. Nevertheless, this year’s Derby will differ from what fans have been familiar with in recent years.
2024 MLB Home Run Derby Format and Rules
The “knockout style” format for the Home Run Derby has changed this year. The entire Derby was an eight-person, single-elimination bracket with three rounds in the previous format. The No. 1 seed faced the No. 8 seed, and so on, with the seeds determined by regular-season home run totals.
This year,📖 the first round will have no p꧅redetermined seeds and will consist of all eight hitters competing, with the top four advancing to the semifinals. The semifinals and finals will involve one-on-one matchups, with seeds determined by the number of home runs hit in the previous rounds.
There is now a maximum number of pitches each hitter can see in each round: 40 in the first round and semifinals and 27 in the finals. Time limits remain the same—three minutes for the first two rounds and two minutes for the final round. Additionally, there are timeout rules: each batter is entitled to one 45-second timeout in each of the three regulation periods, but no💙 timeouts can be called during the bonus periods.
Bonus pitches have also changed. Now, each player gets bonus pitches until they record three outs within the bonus period. Hitting a home run of at least 425 feet within the bonus period extends the bonus period until the player records their fourth out. Bonus time can’t be earned for hitting far home runs during the regulation period.
Finally, the tiebreaker system remains the same. Ties in the semifinals or finals will be broken by a 60-second swing-off with no stoppage of time, followed by successive three-swing “swing-offs” if the tie remains. Overall, the Derby will look slightly different this year, but with the top MLB power hitters taking the stage at Globe Life Field, it should still be an exciting event for baseball fans worldwide.
Recent Home Run Derby Champions
2023: Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
V🧜ladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2023 Home Run Derby, following in his father’s footsteps. Guerrero Jr. showcased hꦯis immense power and consistent hitting, outlasting the competition with 25 home runs in the final round. His victory was celebrated by fans and solidified his reputation as one of the premier young sluggers in the game.
2022: Juan Soto
Juan Soto of the Washington Nationals won the 2022 Home Run Derby with an awe-inspiring performanꦡce. Soto, known for his incredible hitting ability, displayed remarkable precision and power, hitting 19 home runs in the final round to secure the title. His victory highlighted his status as one of baseball’s most exciting and dynamic young players.
2021: Pete Alonso
Pete Alonso of the New York Mets claimed his second Home Run Derby title in 2021, putting on a d💎ominant performance. Alonso’s powerful swings and unrelenting determination were on full display as he hit 35 home runs in the final round. His back-to-back victories in 2019 and 2021 underscored his prowess as one of the game’s top power hitters.
2020: The Event Was Canceled
Unfortunately, the 2020 Home Ru🌜n Derby was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the absence of the event, fans eagerly anticipated its return, looking forward to the spectacle and excitement that the derby brings each year.
2019: Pete Alonso
Pete Alonso won his first Home Run Derby title in 2019 during his rookie season with the New York Mets. Alonso’s powerful swing and relentless determination were on full display as he hit 23 home runs in the final round to edge out Vladim🍨ir Guerrero Jr. in one of the most thrilling derbies in recent memory. Alonso’s victory was a testament to his breakout season and his emergence as a formidable power hitter in the league.
2018: Bryce Harper
Bryce Harper of the ♌Washington Nationals won the 2018 Home Run Derby in dramatic fashion at Nationals Park, his home stadium. Harper’s performance was electrifying, as he hit 19 home runs in the final round to defeat Kyle Schwarber. The Washington crowd celebrated the hometown hero’s victory, making it a memorable moment for both Harper and Nationals fans.
2017: Aaron Judge
In 2017, Aaron Judge burst onto the scene with a dominant performance in the Home Run Derby. The New York Yankees’ rookie phenom showcased his prodigious power, hitting 47 home runs throughout t🐓he competition. Judge’s longest home run of the night traveled 513 feet, highlighting his incredible strength. His victory was a defining moment in his rookie season, earning him widespread acclaim and admiration.
