The 2024 MLB Home Run Derby is less than a week away, and the participants have been finalized. Similar to every season, there are eight participants. There are some new rules for this season’s competition.
The 2024 Home Run Derby will take place on Monday, July 15, at the Texas Rangers’ Globe Life Field.
PARTICIPANTS:
GUNNAR HENDERSON, BALTIMORE ORIOLES:
Third-year infielder Gunnar Henderson is one of the derby’s participants, and he leads all participants with 27 home runs this season. The 2023 AL Rookie of the Year is having an especially strong start to the season. His 27 home runs only trails Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge — two former MVPs.
Henderson has accumulated 50 extra-base hits this season, including five triples. He has improved in each of his first three big league seasons. Henderson finished eighth in AL MVP voting a season ago, but is one of the favorites to win the award this season. He boasts a .965 OPS and 6.2 bWAR through 92 games.
MARCELL OZUNA, ATLANTA BRAVES:
Three-time NL All-Star Marcell Ozuna is making his first appearance in the Home Run Derby. Ozuna, a 12-season MLB veteran, has torched 24 home runs this season — fourth in the big leagues.
Ozuna has racked up 75 RBI this season, which leads all NL hitters.
Accordingly, one of the top home run hitters of the past decade, Ozuna has mashed 20+ long balls in eight seasons.
JOSE RAMIREZ, CLEVELAND GUARDIANS:
Another player competing in the Home Run Derby on July 15 is Jose Ramirez. The 12-season third baseman will be competing in his second career derby. Ramirez participated in the 2022 competition and slugged 17 home runs.
Ramirez is fifth in baseball with 23 home runs so far this season.
A prolific extra-base hitter, Ramirez has been named an All-Star in four consecutive seasons. Ramirez has torqued 20+ home runs in seven seasons during his career. Additionally, he has led the AL in doubles twice, including a MLB-leading 56 two-baggers in 2017.
TEOSCAR HERNANDEZ, LOS ANGELES DODGERS:
Two-time All-Star and Silver Slugger Teoscar Hernandez is another player making his Home Run Derby debut this season. Hernandez has rocketed 19 home runs this season — second on his NL-West leading Dodgers.
Hernandez has put together a strong debut season in Los Angeles. He made his first All-Star appearance since 2021, when he was playing for the Toronto Blue Jays.
Moreover, Hernandez is looking to hit 25+ home runs in his fourth consecutive season in 2024.
PETE ALONSO, NEW YORK METS:
Two-time Home Run Derby champion Pete Alonso is another participant in this season’s competition. Alonso is now competing in his fifth consecutive Home Run Derby (there wasn’t a competition in 2020), and he won the contest in 2019 and 2021.
Alonso took the baseball world by storm in 2019. He set the rookie home run record (53) after also winning that season’s derby.
Furthermore, in 2024, he has 18 home runs and earned his third consecutive All-Star nod.
ADOLIS GARCIA, TEXAS RANGERS:
2023 postseason hero and World Series champion Adolis Garcia will be playing in front of his home fans at Globe Life Field. The Rangers slugger has torched 17 long balls this season.
Garcia, a two-time MLB All-Star, has hit 25+ home runs in each of the previous three seasons.
Garcia participated in last season’s derby, when he lost to Randy Arozarena in the first round.
BOBBY WITT JR., KANSAS CITY ROYALS:
The face of the up-and-coming Kansas City Royals, Bobby Witt Jr. will be making his first appearance in the Home Run Derby in 2024.
Known as an extra-base machine due to his power and speed, Witt Jr. has 20+ home runs in each of his first two seasons (2022-2023), and he’s five home runs from extending that streak to three consecutive campaigns.
Witt Jr. leads baseball with 122 hits and leads the AL with 25 doubles through 94 games in 2024. Additionally, he’s had extra success shooting the gaps this season. He has nine triples — two away from tying his single-season career-high.
ALEC BOHM, PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES:
The most surprising player on this list — Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm. Bohm, who is having a true breakout season, will be playing in his first Home Run Derby this season. Bohm has hit 11 home runs for Philadelphia this season.
One of the league’s best extra-base hitters this season, Bohm leads all hitters with 31 doubles.
Bohm’s play has helped lead the Phillies to the best record before the All-Star break.
Click here for more MLB content.
Follow Fantom Sports on Instagram!
Subscribe to Fantom Sports on YouTube!