2019 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby

Last updated

2019 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby
DateJuly 8, 2019
Venue Progressive Field
City Cleveland, Ohio
Winner Pete Alonso
Score23–22
←  2018 Home Run Derby

The 2019 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby was a home run hitting contest between eight batters from Major League Baseball (MLB). The derby was held on July 8, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH, the site of the 2019 MLB All-Star Game. In an effort to lure more big name players to the Derby compared to previous seasons, MLB increased the winner's prize to $1 million with the total pool money being increased to $2.5 million, up from $525,000 in 2018. [1]

Contents

The longest home run, amongst the total 312 hit by the 8 players involved, covered a distance of 488 ft (148.74 m), and was hit by the runner-up of the contest, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

This was the first derby since the format change in 2015 to feature tie-breaking rounds, as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Joc Pederson went to a record three swing-offs in the second round. Additionally, Guerrero Jr. surpassed the previous first and second round records for home runs hit by Josh Hamilton in 2008 and Kyle Schwarber in 2018 respectively. Winner Pete Alonso of the New York Mets hit 23 home runs in the final round, also breaking the final round total set by Giancarlo Stanton in 2016. The total tally of 312 home runs is the most in the history of the event.

Rules

Eight players participate in the derby in a bracket-style, single-elimination timed event. Each player has four minutes to hit as many home runs as possible. Hitters are awarded an additional 30 seconds if they hit two home runs over 440 ft (134.11 m). Hitters are also allowed one 45 second timeout to stop the clock (two in the finals).

The eight competing players are seeded 1-8 based on their home run totals. While the lower seed hits first, the higher seed hits second in all rounds. The round ends if the higher seed exceeds the total of the first hitter. In the event of a tie, two sets of tiebreakers are employed: first, a 1-minute swing-off (with no timeouts nor bonus time awarded); thereafter, multiple three-swing sets will occur until the tie is broken.

Bracket

By June 30, 2019, Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., [2] Cleveland Indians first baseman Carlos Santana, [3] New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso, [4] Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Josh Bell, Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich, and Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. had agreed to participate in the derby. However, on July 7, 2019, Yelich was forced to withdraw from the derby due to a back injury. As a result, Oakland Athletics third baseman Matt Chapman was selected by the league to replace Yelich. Guerrero set a new single-round record with 29 home runs in the first round, and he and Joc Pederson matched the feat in round two. Both Guerrero and Pederson tied with eight home runs in a tiebreaker, matched with one home run in a three-swing swing-off, before Guerrero prevailed in a second swing-off by a score of 2–1. [5]

Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals
         
1 Matt Chapman (OAK)13
8 Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR)29
8 Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 40*
5 Joc Pederson 39
4 Alex Bregman (HOU)16
5 Joc Pederson (LAD)21
8 Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 22
2 Pete Alonso 23
3 Josh Bell (PIT)18
6 Ronald Acuña Jr. (ATL)25
6 Ronald Acuña Jr. 19
2 Pete Alonso 20
2 Pete Alonso (NYM)14
7 Carlos Santana (CLE)13

* Round went into two swing-offs after Guerrero Jr. and Pederson were tied 29–29 after regulation and 37–37 after first tiebreaker. After that Guerrero Jr. got 38 and Pederson got 38. Then both went to another swing off and Guerrero Jr. got 40 and Pederson got 39.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vladimir Guerrero</span> Dominican baseball player (born 1975)

Vladimir Guerrero Alvino Sr., nicknamed "Vlad the Impaler", is a Dominican former professional baseball player who spent 16 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a right fielder and designated hitter. He played for the Montreal Expos (1996–2003), Anaheim Angels / Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2004–2009), Texas Rangers (2010), and Baltimore Orioles (2011).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Home Run Derby</span> Major League Baseball annual home run hitting contest

The Home Run Derby is an annual home run hitting competition in Major League Baseball (MLB) customarily held the day before the MLB All-Star Game, which places the contest on a Monday in July. In the context of the competition a "home run" consists of hitting a baseball in fair territory out of the playing field on the fly. It differs from a home run hit during legal gameplay in that the batter is not competing against a pitcher and a defensive team attempting to make an out. In the Home Run Derby, all pitches are purposefully thrown slowly and at a closer range than the official 60 feet 6 inches (18.44 m) distance, usually by a coach behind a pitching screen. In addition, like batting practice, the batter remains in the batter's box after each swing and does not run, nor circle the bases to score a run. In 2023, Julio Rodríguez set the single-round home run record with 41 homers, topping Vladimir Guerrero’s 40 home runs in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prince Fielder</span> American baseball player (born 1984)

Prince Semien Fielder is an American former professional baseball first baseman and designated hitter, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Milwaukee Brewers, Detroit Tigers, and Texas Rangers. He was selected in the first round of the 2002 Major League Baseball draft by the Brewers out of Eau Gallie High School in Melbourne, Florida, and spent the first seven years of his MLB career with the Brewers before signing with the Tigers, in January 2012. In November 2013, Fielder was traded to the Rangers, where he played the remainder of his career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 Major League Baseball All-Star Game</span> 2006 American baseball competition

The 2006 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 77th playing of the midseason exhibition baseball game between the all-stars of the American League (AL) and National League (NL), the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 11, 2006 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the home of the Pittsburgh Pirates of the National League. The contest was the fifth hosted by the city of Pittsburgh – tying the Cleveland Guardians for the record of most times hosted by a single franchise. The game resulted in the American League defeating the National League 3–2, thus awarding the AL champion home-field advantage in the 2006 World Series.

The 2007 State Farm Home Run Derby was a 2007 Major League Baseball All-Star Game event. The Home Run Derby was held on July 9 at AT&T Park, the home field of the San Francisco Giants. As usual, the competition had eight competitors, seven of whom were eliminated over three rounds. The Home Run Derby was seen July 9 on ESPN at 8 p.m. EST.

The 2011 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby was a home run hitting contest in Major League Baseball (MLB) between four batters each from the National League and American League. The derby was held on July 11, 2011, at the site of the 2011 MLB All-Star Game, Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christian Yelich</span> American baseball player (born 1991)

Christian Stephen Yelich is an American professional baseball left fielder for the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Miami Marlins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joc Pederson</span> American baseball player (born 1992)

Joc Russell Pederson is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves, and San Francisco Giants. He is a two-time World Series champion and a two-time All-Star.

The 2014 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby was a home run hitting contest in Major League Baseball (MLB) between five batters each from the American League and National League. The derby was held on July 14, 2014, at the site of the 2014 MLB All-Star Game, Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Yoenis Céspedes was the winner, repeating his winning performance in 2013 to join Ken Griffey Jr. and Pete Alonso as the only players to win consecutive Home Run Derbies.

The 2015 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby was a home run hitting contest between eight batters from Major League Baseball (MLB). The derby was held on July 13, 2015, at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio, the site of the 2015 MLB All-Star Game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vladimir Guerrero Jr.</span> Canadian-Dominican baseball player (born 1999)

Vladimir Guerrero Ramos Jr. is a Canadian-Dominican professional baseball first baseman for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his major league debut in April 2019, and he bats and throws right-handed. He is the son of Baseball Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero.

The 2017 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby was a home run hitting contest between eight batters from Major League Baseball (MLB). The derby was held on July 10, 2017, at Marlins Park in Miami, Florida, the site of the 2017 MLB All-Star Game. On July 5, the participants were announced. Aaron Judge won, becoming the first rookie to win the event outright.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pete Alonso</span> American baseball player (born 1994)

Peter Morgan Alonso, nicknamed "Polar Bear", is an American professional baseball first baseman for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby</span> Baseball competition

The 2018 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby was a home run hitting contest between eight batters from Major League Baseball (MLB). The derby was held on July 16, 2018, at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., the site of the 2018 MLB All-Star Game. On July 11, the participants were announced. Bryce Harper was the winner, as he beat Kyle Schwarber, in the final 19–18, winning the derby in front of his hometown crowd. He tied Schwarber on the last pitch as time expired in regulation; then won it with 16 seconds left in bonus time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 National League Championship Series</span> Baseball championship series

The 2018 National League Championship Series was a best-of-seven playoff pitting the Milwaukee Brewers against the Los Angeles Dodgers, for the National League (NL) pennant and the right to play in the 2018 World Series against the AL Champions, the Boston Red Sox.

The 2018 National League Central tie-breaker game was a one-game extension to Major League Baseball's (MLB) 2018 regular season, played between the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs to determine the champion of the National League's (NL) Central Division. It was played at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois on October 1, 2018.

The 2021 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby was a home run hitting contest between eight batters from Major League Baseball (MLB). The derby was held on July 12, 2021, at Coors Field in Denver, CO, the site of the 2021 MLB All-Star Game.

The 2022 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby was a home run hitting contest between eight batters from Major League Baseball (MLB). The derby was held on July 18, 2022, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA, the site of the 2022 MLB All-Star Game.

The 2023 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby was a home run hitting contest between eight batters from Major League Baseball (MLB). The derby was held on July 10, 2023, at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, the site of the 2023 MLB All-Star Game.

The 2024 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby was a home run hitting contest between eight batters from Major League Baseball (MLB). The derby was held on July 15, 2024, at Globe Life Field in Arlington, the site of the 2024 MLB All-Star Game. The event was won by Teoscar Hernández of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The opening of the derby was quickly buzzed on social media networks and news sites for its off-key performance of the national anthem by country artist Ingrid Andress, who later admitted to being drunk and stated that she would be entering rehab.

References

External videos
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg 2019 Home Run Derby on YouTube
  1. ↑ Axisa, Matt. "2019 Home Run Derby field tracker: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Carlos Santana in; Luke Voit, Pete Alonso awaiting invites". CBSSports.com. Retrieved June 28, 2019.
  2. ↑ Snyder, Matt. "MLB Home Run Derby 2019: Vladimir Guerrero reportedly becomes first entrant into All-Star event in Cleveland". CBSSports.com. Retrieved June 28, 2019.
  3. ↑ Axisa, Matt. "2019 MLB Home Run Derby: Indians' Carlos Santana accepts invite to participate at home ballpark". CBSSports.com. Retrieved June 28, 2019.
  4. ↑ Mazzeo, Mike. "Pete Alonso has been invited to the Home Run Derby and will participate". Twitter.com. Twitter. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  5. ↑ Kelly, Matt; Adler, David (July 8, 2019). "Here's what happened in every HR Derby round". MLB.com. MLB . Retrieved October 23, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.