It’s nearing the time for one of baseball’s most fun event – the Home Run Derby during All-Star weekend. The brackets were officially announced on Wednesday with strong first round matchups.
Baseball’s best players will get together to see who can smash the most baseballs out of the park, no different than a battle between friends growing up. Last year’s runner up Julio Rodríguez is back with a shot to win at his home ballpark in Seattle. Pete Alonso is looking for his third Home Run Derby trophy.
From the participants to bracket, here’s everything you need to know about the 2023 MLB Home Run Derby.
(All stats entering play Wednesday)
When and where is the Home Run Derby?
The 2023 Home Run Derby is on Monday, July 10 at 8 p.m. ET. It will be held at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.
Follow the money: MLB player salaries and payrolls for every major league team
How can I watch?
Fans can tune into the 2023 Home Run Derby on ESPN with a StatCast edition on ESPN2. You can also watch on ESPN.com, MLB.com and MLB.TV.
What are the rules?
The bracket follows single elimination rules with 3 rounds. Contestants have 3 minutes in the first 2 rounds with a 45 second timeout. The final round is 2 minutes with a 45 second timeout.
Batters are awarded a 30 second bonus at the end of each round, where they can be awarded an additional 30 seconds with 2 home runs of 440 feet. If a tiebreaker is needed, there will be a 60-second swing off with no stoppage.
No. 1 Luis Robert Jr. vs No. 8 Adley Rutschman
The teams: Robert Jr. (Chicago White Sox), Rutschman (Baltimore Orioles)
The stats: Robert Jr. has 25 home runs this season. Rutschman has 11 home runs.
It is the first Derby appearance for both players, who are enjoying strong years. Robert Jr. has had a breakout season with a career-high in home runs, including 11 in June. Rutschman’s is one of the league’s brightest stars, but history says it may be a tough outing for him in the derby – no catcher has ever won the event.
The winner will face the winner of…
No. 4 Adolis Garcia vs. No. 5 seed Randy Arozarena
The teams: Garcia (Texas Rangers), Arozarena (Tampa Bay Rays)
The stats: Garcia has 21 home runs this season. Arozarena has 16 home runs this season.
This is one of the more exciting matchups in this Home Run Derby with massive power between both players. Garcia’s nickname is “El Bombi” meaning bombs will be expected from the outfielder. Arozarena often lives up to the pressure and bright lights, so it would be no surprise if he steps up to the task in his first Derby.
No. 2 Pete Alonso vs. No. 7 Julio Rodriguez
The teams: Alonso (New York Mets), Rodriguez (Seattle Mariners)
The stats: Alonso has 25 home runs this season. Rodriguez has 13 home runs.
In a rematch from last season’s second round of the Derby, Alonso will look to get revenge against Rodriguez, who will be at home. Alonso has won two Derby’s before, giving him the edge of experience. Rodriguez’s breakout performance last year put him on the map. It’ll be another fireworks filled matchup in the first round.
The winner will face the winner of…
No. 3 Mookie Betts vs No. 6 Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
The teams: Betts (Los Angeles Dodgers), Guerrero Jr. (Toronto Blue Jays).
The stats: Betts has 23 home runs this season. Guerrero Jr has 13 home runs this season.
Betts makes his Derby debut as an underdog against Guerrero Jr., who is in his second Derby appearance. Guerrero Jr., who lost to Alonso in 2019, holds the signle round and total home run record for the Derby. Guerrero Jr. also has the highest exit velocity and average home run distance this season among the eight participants.
