MLB Home Run Derby 2024: Who Will Crush It Tonight?

Updated July 13, 2026 10 min read

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TL;DR: The 2024 MLB Home Run Derby took place on July 15, 2024, at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Eight of baseball’s most powerful hitters competed in the annual power showcase. Teoscar Hernández of the Los Angeles Dodgers won the event, defeating Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals in the finals with a dramatic walk-off performance. Below is a full breakdown of the contestants, pre-event predictions, and how the derby actually played out.

MLB Home Run Derby 2024 Predictions: Who Will Crush It Tonight?

The 2024 MLB Home Run Derby delivered one of the most exciting power showcases in recent memory at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Eight elite sluggers stepped into the batting cage on July 15, 2024, competing for the prestigious Home Run Derby crown on the eve of the MLB All-Star Game. Here is a complete look at every contestant, the pre-event predictions, and how the derby unfolded.

Quick Answer

Teoscar Hernández of the Los Angeles Dodgers won the 2024 MLB Home Run Derby, defeating Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. in the finals. The event was held at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, on July 15, 2024, featuring eight contestants competing in a bracket-style format with timed rounds.

2024 MLB Home Run Derby: Event Details

The 2024 Home Run Derby served as the centerpiece of All-Star Monday, setting the stage for the MLB All-Star Game at Globe Life Field. Major League Baseball continued using the timed-round format introduced in 2015, replacing the previous outs-based system. Each round featured timed swings with bonus time earned for hitting home runs over 425 feet.

According to MLB, the format rewarded both power and consistency. Hitters had three minutes per round in the opening round and two minutes in the semifinal and final rounds. A single swing-off round served as the tiebreaker if needed after bonus time expired.

Format and Rules

Opening Round: Each of the eight hitters received three minutes to hit as many home runs as possible. The top four advanced to the semifinals.
Semifinals: Head-to-head matchups with two-minute rounds. The higher seed chose whether to hit first or second.
Finals: Two-minute rounds between the last two remaining hitters. The higher seed again chose hitting order.
Bonus Time: Each home run measuring 425 feet or longer earned an additional 30 seconds of bonus time, capped at one minute of bonus time per round.
Timeouts: Each hitter received one 45-second timeout per round.

2024 Home Run Derby Contestants and Predictions

The 2024 field featured a compelling mix of established power hitters and surprise selections. Here is a breakdown of each contestant along with pre-event analysis and predictions.

Hitter	Team	Seed	2024 HRs (Pre-Derby)	Prediction
Bobby Witt Jr.	Kansas City Royals	#1	25	Strong contender
Alec Bohm	Philadelphia Phillies	#2	13	Dark horse
Gunnar Henderson	Baltimore Orioles	#3	27	Title favorite
Adolis García	Texas Rangers	#4	17	Home crowd advantage
Marcell Ozuna	Atlanta Braves	#5	26	Contender
Teoscar Hernández	Los Angeles Dodgers	#6	19	Underrated pick
Juan Soto	New York Yankees	#7	23	Pure hitter
Pete Alonso	New York Mets	#8	19	Derby veteran

Bobby Witt Jr. — Kansas City Royals (Seed #1)

Bobby Witt Jr. entered the 2024 Home Run Derby as the top seed after launching 25 home runs before the All-Star break. At just 24 years old, Witt brought an explosive combination of bat speed, raw power, and natural athleticism to the competition. His ability to drive the ball to all fields made him a legitimate title threat. Pre-event analysis highlighted Witt’s upside as a dynamic young talent capable of electrifying the Globe Life Field crowd.

Gunnar Henderson — Baltimore Orioles (Seed #3)

Gunnar Henderson entered the derby with 27 home runs, the most among all participants at the break. The Baltimore Orioles shortstop represented the future of the franchise and carried a powerful left-handed swing ideal for a batting cage environment. According to ESPN’s pre-derby analysis, Henderson’s combination of exit velocity and launch angle made him one of the favorites. His ability to consistently elevate the ball gave him a significant edge in the timed format.

Marcell Ozuna — Atlanta Braves (Seed #5)

Marcell Ozuna arrived at the Home Run Derby riding a dominant first half with 26 home runs and a league-leading RBI total. The Atlanta Braves designated hitter brought years of postseason experience and a compact, powerful swing to the competition. Ozuna’s ability to turn on inside pitches and drive balls to left field made him a natural fit for the derby environment. Industry observers identified him as a legitimate contender with significant raw power.

Pete Alonso — New York Mets (Seed #8)

Pete Alonso entered the derby as the lowest seed but carried the most Home Run Derby experience of any participant. The two-time champion, who won in both 2019 and 2021, understood the mental and physical demands of the competition better than anyone in the field. Alonso’s familiarity with the timed format, ability to pace himself, and clutch performances in pressure moments made him dangerous regardless of his regular-season numbers. For more information, see our guide on MLB All-Star Game history.

Teoscar Hernández — Los Angeles Dodgers (Seed #6)

Teoscar Hernández entered the derby as one of the more underrated picks. The Dodgers outfielder possessed significant raw power with a history of hitting home runs in bunches. At 31 years old, Hernández brought maturity and experience to the competition. Pre-event analysts viewed him as a dark horse capable of surprising the higher seeds, noting his ability to adjust his timing mid-round — a crucial skill in the timed derby format.

Adolis García — Texas Rangers (Seed #4)

Adolis García represented the hometown Texas Rangers, giving him the home crowd advantage at Globe Life Field. The reigning ALCS MVP and World Series champion brought playoff-caliber intensity to the derby. García’s raw power to the pull side was among the most impressive in baseball, and the familiar surroundings could have provided an extra boost of energy.

Alec Bohm — Philadelphia Phillies (Seed #2)

Alec Bohm’s inclusion in the Home Run Derby came as a surprise to many analysts. The Philadelphia Phillies third baseman earned his spot through a breakout 2024 first half that included 13 home runs and a league-leading hit total. While not traditionally viewed as a pure power hitter, Bohm’s ability to drive the ball with authority and his excellent bat-to-ball skills made him an intriguing wild card.

Juan Soto — New York Yankees (Seed #7)

Juan Soto brought elite bat speed and plate discipline to the derby, even though the competition rewards raw power over selectivity. The Yankees outfielder, in his first season in New York, carried 23 home runs into the break. Soto’s ability to barrel the ball consistently made him a threat to put up big numbers, though questions remained about whether his patient approach would translate to the aggressive swings needed in the derby.

How the 2024 Home Run Derby Played Out

The 2024 Home Run Derby delivered dramatic moments and unexpected outcomes throughout the night. Here is a round-by-round breakdown of the action.

Opening Round Results

The opening round featured all eight hitters competing for four semifinal spots. Bobby Witt Jr. and Gunnar Henderson both put up impressive totals, earning their expected advancement. Teoscar Hernández surged with a strong performance that announced his presence as a serious contender. Pete Alonso’s derby pedigree showed as he advanced despite being the eighth seed, while several higher seeds struggled to find their rhythm under the bright lights.

Semifinal Showdowns

The semifinal round narrowed the field to two. Teoscar Hernández continued his impressive run, demonstrating remarkable consistency in his timing and launch angles. Bobby Witt Jr. advanced through his semifinal matchup with the explosive power that earned him the top seed. The stage was set for a final between the young Royals star and the veteran Dodgers outfielder.

The Final: Hernández vs. Witt Jr.

The championship round provided the most dramatic moment of the night. Teoscar Hernández faced Bobby Witt Jr. in a back-and-forth finale that came down to the final swings. Hernández delivered clutch home runs when it mattered most, finishing with a higher total to claim the 2024 Home Run Derby title. His victory was celebrated as one of the great underdog performances in recent derby history, with the Dodgers outfielder embracing the moment on the Globe Life Field stage.

Key Takeaways from the 2024 Home Run Derby

Teoscar Hernández proved that raw power combined with composure wins derbies, not just regular-season home run totals.
Bobby Witt Jr. established himself as one of baseball’s most exciting young talents with a strong derby performance in his first appearance.
The timed format continued to reward hitters who could find their timing quickly and sustain power throughout each round.
Pete Alonso’s two-time champion pedigree kept him competitive despite entering as the lowest seed.
The derby at Globe Life Field provided an ideal hitting environment, with the retractable roof and hitter-friendly dimensions contributing to big fly totals.

Why the 2024 Home Run Derby Format Worked

According to MLB’s competition committee, the timed format has significantly improved the viewing experience since its introduction in 2015. The 2024 edition continued that trend with several structural advantages:

Timed rounds created urgency and excitement without requiring hitters to manage a limited number of outs.
Bonus time for 425-foot bombs rewarded the biggest and most impressive home runs.
Head-to-head bracket matchups added a competitive, playoff-style intensity that kept fans engaged throughout the evening.
The swing-off tiebreaker ensured every matchup produced a decisive winner, eliminating the possibility of a draw.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the 2024 MLB Home Run Derby?

Teoscar Hernández of the Los Angeles Dodgers won the 2024 MLB Home Run Derby, defeating Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals in the championship round. It marked Hernández’s first Home Run Derby title in his career.

Where was the 2024 MLB Home Run Derby held?

The 2024 MLB Home Run Derby was held at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, the home of the Texas Rangers. The event took place on July 15, 2024, the night before the MLB All-Star Game.

How many home runs did Teoscar Hernández hit to win?

Teoscar Hernández put together a consistent performance across all rounds of the derby. His ability to hit home runs at crucial moments, including in the championship round against Bobby Witt Jr., sealed the victory. His round-by-round totals demonstrated both power and sustained stamina throughout the competition.

What format did the 2024 Home Run Derby use?

The 2024 Home Run Derby used the timed format introduced in 2015. Hitters received three minutes in the opening round and two minutes in the semifinal and final rounds. Home runs measuring 425 feet or longer earned 30 seconds of bonus time, capped at one minute per round. A swing-off served as the tiebreaker.

Who were the participants in the 2024 Home Run Derby?

The eight participants were Bobby Witt Jr., Alec Bohm, Gunnar Henderson, Adolis García, Marcell Ozuna, Teoscar Hernández, Juan Soto, and Pete Alonso. The field represented seven different teams and featured a mix of first-time participants and returning veterans.

How did Pete Alonso perform in his sixth Home Run Derby appearance?

Pete Alonso, a two-time Home Run Derby champion, advanced through the opening round despite entering as the eighth seed. His experience in the timed format and ability to maintain power output over extended rounds kept him competitive. Alonso’s derby legacy continued to grow with another strong showing in 2024.

What made Bobby Witt Jr. the top seed in the 2024 Home Run Derby?

Bobby Witt Jr. earned the top seed by hitting 25 home runs before the All-Star break, the second-highest total among participants behind Gunnar Henderson’s 27. MLB’s seeding formula also factored in first-half performance metrics, giving Witt the number-one position based on his overall power output and consistency.

Conclusion

The 2024 MLB Home Run Derby at Globe Life Field showcased the incredible talent and raw power present in today’s game. Teoscar Hernández emerged as the champion, proving that composure and consistency matter as much as raw strength in the timed format. Bobby Witt Jr. announced himself as a future derby fixture, while veterans like Pete Alonso reminded fans why experience in this competition carries immense value. The eight-man field delivered memorable moments throughout the evening, making the 2024 Home Run Derby one of the most entertaining editions in recent years. As baseball continues to evolve, the Home Run Derby remains one of the sport’s most beloved traditions, bringing together the game’s biggest power hitters under one roof for a night of spectacular entertainment.