Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernandez captivated fans with a thrilling finish on Monday night at Globe Life Field, emerging victorious over Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. in the final round, hitting 14 home runs to Witt’s 13. Witt’s last attempt nearly tied the score, but his deep fly ball hit the wall, sealing Hernandez’s win and making him the first Dodgers player to capture the title
Hernandez’s Confidence and Performance
“If I have to bet, it doesn’t matter who I’m going against, I’m going to bet on myself,” Hernandez confidently stated. “People maybe underestimate me. You saw it at the end when Witt was hitting all those homers. Everyone was rooting for him. But I’m here, just as talented as all those guys. They might be younger, but we have the same talent.”
- Hernandez debuted in the Derby, hitting a total of 49 home runs.
- Witt, a first-time competitor, finished with 50 home runs.
- Witt was the 2018 High School Home Run Derby champion.
Witt’s Local Support and Performance
“That was fun. The crowd, the Texas-sized crowd, it was a lot of fun being able to do that,” Witt said. “Making it to the finals was awesome. Teoscar put on a great show.”
- Witt sought to make history for the Royals, who have never won the event.
- Local support was strong for Witt, who attended nearby Colleyville Heritage High School.
Hernandez’s Path to Victory
Hernandez was the 11th Dodgers player to compete in the Derby. He advanced from the opening round with 19 home runs, then defeated the Philadelphia Phillies’ Alec Bohm in a three-swing swing-off in the semifinals. Both hit 14 home runs to force the swing-off.
- In the final, Hernandez hit 11 home runs in regulation and added three in the bonus round.
- Witt hit 11 home runs in regulation and, down to his final out in the extra session, hit his 12th home run, earning an additional out. He managed one more home run before falling short.
Witt acknowledged his final swing wasn’t perfect. “I just was trying to blow on it or something,” he said.
Early Eliminations and Highlights
Several Derby favorites were eliminated early. Texas Rangers slugger Adolis Garcia narrowly missed the opening-round cut with 18 home runs. The New York Mets’ Pete Alonso, a two-time winner, finished with just 12 home runs in the first round. Baltimore Orioles’ Gunnar Henderson, the top home run hitter in the field, had 11. Henderson ranks third in the majors with 28 homers this year. Atlanta Braves designated hitter Marcell Ozuna was also eliminated in the first round with 16 homers.
“Obviously, I wanted to win, but it’s always really fun out there,” Alonso said. “I had a blast and it’s such a blessing to perform here.”
Derby Format and Rules
This year’s Derby format featured an opening round and semifinals where each batter had three minutes or up to 40 balls in regulation. In the bonus round, batters received three “outs,” defined as any non-home run swing. Batters could earn an additional “out” by hitting at least one home run over 425 feet. In the final, batters had two minutes or 27 balls, whichever came first, with the same bonus period rules.
Watch the Highlights:
