The 2023 T Mobile Home Run Derby was full of drama and excitement. Hometown participant Julio Rodriguez put on an electric second-round performance that saw him set a new record for most Home Runs by a player in a single round with 41 HR. In the end, Vladimir Guerrero’s consistency won the event.
Guerrero joined his father and became the only father-and-son combo to win the event. With home 25 home runs in round one, 21 in round two, and 25 in the finals Guerrero showed that a steady pace wins the race.
STAR-STUDDED PARTICIPANTS
The event lived up to its billing as the star-studded participants put on a show for the fans.
Participating in the event where Two -time Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso of the New York Mets, two-time All-Star and hometown hero Julio Rodriguez, 2018 AL Most Valuable Player and two-time World Series Champion Mookie Betts, Randy Arozarena of the Tampa Bay Rays, the Texas Rangers Adolis Garcia, Toronto Blue Jays All Star Vladimir Guerrero Jr, Luis Robert Jr. of the Chicago Whitesox and Adley Rutschman of the Baltimore Orioles.
ROUND BY ROUND BREAKDOWN
OPENING ROUND
Randy Arozarena hit 25 homer runs to advance past Adolis Garcia’s 17 dingers.In the other bracket, Adley Rutschman hit 20 from left side then switched to the right where hit seven more for a total of 27. It looked great until Luis Robert Jr pulled off the upset with 28.
TOP BRACKET
Vladimir Guerrero Jr hit 25 which was enough to advance past Mookie Betts 11 home runs. With Guerrero advancing the question was who he would face in the semifinals. The answer was apparent once hometown favorite Rodriguez stepped up to the plate. The Mariners center field put on a show with 41 homer runs in the first run round most ever by a player and advanced past the Mets Pete Alonso who had 21. Guerrero’s 40 HR in round two of the 2019 Home Run Derby was the previous record.
SEMIFINAL ROUND
In one Semifinal bracket, Randy Arozarena slammed a healthy 30 homer runs and easily outpaced the 22 dingers by Luis Robert Jr who started strong but ran out of gas.
DRAMA FILLED BRACK
The Guerrero versus Rodriguez semi-final round had plenty of drama though the number of homers and runs hit was below expectations.
Julio went first. He rushed a few hits then got into a rhythm and hit four and called time out with 10 HR and 1:32 left to go. The crowd started chanting Julio, but it was not enough as he finished with 16 and then was given an extra 30 seconds of bonus time in which he hit another 4 to finish with 20.
Guerrero struggled but was able to hit 20 which tied Rodrigues during regulation. Vlad earned 60 seconds of bonus time and hit his 21st and advanced to Final round with time to spare.
HOME RUN FINALS ROUND
It was a close final but, in the end, Guerrero Jr held off Randy Arozarena who hit 23 home runs two shy of Guerrero’s competition-winning 25. Arozarean hit 21 in regulation then another two more in 30 seconds of bonus time.
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