The annual Major League Baseball Home Run Derby, one of the sport's most thrilling events, returns in 2024 with its latest edition scheduled to take place in Arlington, Texas, at the renowned Globe Life Field. Home to the Texas Rangers, this state-of-the-art stadium will witness some of the game's fiercest sluggers on Monday, July 15, starting at 8 p.m. ET, as they aim to showcase their power and skill in a head-to-head showdown.
Event Structure
This year's format remains as dynamic as ever. The competition will feature a total of eight participants vying against each other in the initial round. Each player will have a window of three minutes or 40 pitches—whichever arrives first—to hit as many home runs as possible, supported by a strategically timed timeout. The four competitors with the highest home run count will advance to the semifinals.
In case of any ties, the determining factor will be the longest home run distance achieved during the round. After the primary hitting period, players will receive three additional bonus outs, with a potential fourth bonus out attainable if a player belts a home run measuring 425 feet during the bonus period.
The semifinal round will see the top four sluggers engage in head-to-head matchups. The climactic final round, designed to test stamina and precision under pressure, will impose a tighter limit of two minutes or 27 pitches. The finalist who hits the most homers in this decisive round will be crowned the champion of the 2024 Home Run Derby.
Confirmed Participants
Confirmed participants are beginning to populate the lineup. Gunnar Henderson, who made his Derby commitment on June 30, was the first to throw his hat in the ring. Following him, Alex Bohm announced his participation on July 5. In terms of accomplishments, Pete Alonso is a name that stands prominent. Having won the Derby in both 2019 and 2021 and being selected for his fourth career All-Star Game, Alonso will be participating in his fifth Home Run Derby.
While some of the sport’s major stars are gearing up for the event, others have announced their absence. Aaron Judge, who won the Derby in 2017, has elected not to join this year. Yordan Alvarez and Juan Soto, the latter being the 2022 champion, have also chosen to sit out. "No, not this year," confirmed Soto regarding his participation status.
Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani, a player of exceptional versatility and talent, initially expressed interest in the Derby. However, he remains a doubtful participant owing to his recovery from elbow surgery performed in September 2023. He said, "I'm in the middle of my rehab progression, so it's not going to look like I'll be participating."
Other Interested Participants
Teoscar Hernández has shown interest in participating, adding another layer of anticipation to the event. If his participation is confirmed, fans can expect an even more electrifying competition, given his prowess at the plate.
The 2024 Home Run Derby promises to be an exhilarating blend of battle-tested champions and rising talents, each seeking to etch their name into the history of one of baseball's most beloved events. As the weeks count down to the mid-summer classic, the final roster of participants and any potential surprise entries are sure to intensify the anticipation among baseball enthusiasts globally.