The 2024 Home Run Derby is set to electrify baseball fans as it takes place on Monday, July 15, at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The event will begin at 8 p.m. ET, drawing the eyes of baseball enthusiasts from around the world. Highlighting the event is the defending champion, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who will look to defend his title amidst a restructured and highly competitive format.
One of the major shifts in the 2024 Derby is the new format. All eight participants will compete against each other in a rigorous first round. This round will be particularly challenging, with each player allocated three minutes or a maximum of 40 pitches to hit as many home runs as possible, and they are allowed one timeout. The four highest home run hitters from this round will progress to the semifinals, ensuring a tight race filled with suspense and excitement.
To determine the players advancing in case of a tie, the longest home run will serve as the deciding factor. Adding to the thrill, players will have the opportunity to earn three bonus outs after surpassing their initial time or pitch limit. A fourth bonus out is a possibility, awarded if a player hits a 425-foot home run during the bonus time.
Semifinals and Final Adjustments
Once the top four proceed to the semifinals, they will be seeded based on their home run totals from the first round. The matchups will pair the first seed against the fourth seed and the second seed against the third seed. The semifinal round adheres to the same time and pitch constraints as the first round, maintaining the intensity for the competitors. The highlighted figures from the semifinals will then clash in the final round, where the time limit is squeezed to two minutes or 27 pitches, with one timeout allowed.
The player who emerges victorious in the final round, by hitting the most home runs, will be crowned the champion—a title laden with prestige in the realm of baseball.
Anticipation and Participation
The participation pool has already sparked considerable interest. Gunnar Henderson from the Baltimore Orioles is set to make his debut in the Derby, bringing fresh talent and excitement to the competition. Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani from the Los Angeles Angels has expressed his intent to join, though it's contingent on several approvals due to his current rehabilitation. Ohtani remarked, "I have to get an offer (to participate) first. I'm also rehabilitating, so I need the doctor's approval and the trainers' approval and the team's approval. Of course I have feelings of wanting to do it. I think any player would. I think it depends on how it lines up with the other parts."
However, not all elite players will grace the event. Yordan Alvarez from the Houston Astros has opted out of the 2024 Derby, stating, "Something I'm not super motivated to do at this moment." Additionally, Aaron Judge has also declined to participate, citing that he would only consider returning if the All-Star Game were held in New York.
Given the lineup changes and the fresh faces set to take their swings, the 2024 Home Run Derby promises an enthralling and competitive evening. Fans will be watching closely as rising stars and seasoned players alike step up to the plate, aiming to etch their names in the annals of Home Run Derby history. As the day approaches, Globe Life Field will undoubtedly be the center of the baseball universe, presenting a showcase of power, skill, and the enduring allure of America’s pastime.