MLB News: Teoscar Hernández 2024 HRD Winner

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The MLB Home Run Derby is always a highlight of the All-Star festivities, and this year’s event did not disappoint. In a dramatic finish, Teoscar Hernández of the Los Angeles Dodgers was the 2024 winner, which was a surprise as he wasn’t the mlb betting lines favorite. 

Hernández, once a bottom-of-the-order player with the Astros and later overshadowed by the Blue Jays, has found his spotlight with the Dodgers. Batting behind stars like Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman, Hernández seized his moment on Monday night.

Round by Round

Facing near elimination in both the first and second rounds, Hernández made history as the first Dodgers player to win the Home Run Derby, surpassing Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr in the final round, with Witt’s last swing falling just short of a tie.

“If I have to bet, it doesn’t matter who I’m going against; I’m going to bet on myself,” Hernández said. “People maybe underestimate me, and you could see it at the end when Witt was hitting all those homers. But I’m here.”

Hernández narrowly avoided elimination in the first round, advancing to the finals by defeating Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm in a second-round swing-off.

A “Never Forget” Final Round

In the finals, Hernández hit 14 home runs, while Witt finished with 13, his final swing hitting the base of the center-field wall.

“Oh man, I was nervous,” Hernández admitted. “Thank God it didn’t go out. I’m super happy.”

This year’s Derby might not have had the flash of past competitions, lacking a standout performance like Ken Griffey Jr. in Baltimore or Josh Hamilton in the Bronx. However, Hernández’s steady performance highlighted his consistency rather than a single explosive round.

Early eliminations of big sluggers added to the unexpected nature of Hernández’s win and favored his MLB betting lines. Mets 1B Pete Alonso, aiming to become a 3-time HRD champion, knocked out in the first round. He struggled, going eight swings without a homer, finishing with 12 total.

Stars That Don’t Bright or Showed Up

Alonso’s fifth Derby appearance tied him with Ken Griffey Jr., who has the most appearances with eight, despite some top players declining to participate recently. New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, who leads the majors with 34 home runs at the break, was absent.

Orioles SS Gunnar Henderson, an AL MVP candidate and participant with the most first-half home runs, finished with only 11 in the first round. He struggled to sustain a hot streak despite hitting four in a row.

Atlanta Braves’ Marcell Ozuna hit the longest home run at 473 feet but ended with 16 total. Texas Rangers’ Adolis García hit 18 in regulation but failed to add any in the bonus round, missing advancement by one.

If Ozuna hits one more homer, Hernández will be eliminated. Instead, the door remained open, and Hernández capitalized. On the sideline, teammate Shohei Ohtani advised Hernández to aim for left-center rather than pulling straight down the line. Former teammate Vladimir Guerrero Jr. cheered him on, waving a vintage Hernández Blue Jays jersey.

“That was one of the biggest surprises tonight,” Hernández said.