The anticipation for the 2024 Home Run Derby is already building, with Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, set to host the electrifying event on Monday, July 15. The competition, which promises to be a thrilling spectacle of power hitting, will commence at 8 p.m. ET.
Returning to defend his title will be Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who won the hearts of fans with his remarkable performance in the previous installment. He will have to navigate an updated format that pits all eight participants against each other in the high-stakes first round.
New Format Adds Intrigue
The revised rules for the 2024 Derby are designed to ramp up the excitement from the outset. Each player will have three minutes or a maximum of 40 pitches to hit as many home runs as possible in the first round, with the added strategy of one timeout. The top four home run hitters from this round will proceed to the semifinals. In cases where competitors are tied, the longest home run will determine who advances.
Bonus outs will also be on offer: after reaching the initial time or pitch limit, players earn three additional outs. A fourth bonus out can be earned by hitting a home run of at least 425 feet during this phase, adding an extra layer of strategy and drama to the competition.
Path to the Final
Semifinalists will be seeded 1-4 according to their first-round totals, setting up matchups between the top seed and the fourth seed, as well as the second and third seeds. The same time or pitch restrictions apply in the semifinals: each player will again have three minutes or 40 pitches, with one timeout.
The final round introduces a further challenge, with the time or pitch limit reduced to two minutes or 27 pitches, along with just a single timeout. The player who establishes the highest home run tally in this decisive phase will emerge victorious.
New and Returning Faces
Gunnar Henderson of the Baltimore Orioles is among the participants making their Derby debut. Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani from the Los Angeles Angels has hinted at his interest in joining the competition, pending the necessary approvals. "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," Ohtani explained. "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."
Not all star sluggers are inclined to participate, however. Yordan Alvarez from the Houston Astros has already opted out of the 2024 Derby, stating, "Something I'm not super motivated to do at this moment." Additionally, Aaron Judge has also decided to sit this one out, only considering a return if the All-Star Game is held in New York.
As the countdown to July 15 continues, the 2024 Home Run Derby is shaping up to be a showcase of baseball's top power hitters, complete with new rules that promise to add excitement and unpredictability to the event. With an eclectic mix of returning champions and fresh talent, fans can expect a thrilling night at Globe Life Field.