Teoscar Hernández successfully lobbied his way into being named one of the eight participants, and he put together a thrilling performance to become the first Los Angeles Dodgers player to ever win a Home Run Derby.
Along with making Dodgers franchise history, Hernández became only the seventh Dominican-born player to win the Derby.
Hernández was among the first hitters to compete under the new Home Run Derby rules and format, which among other changes eliminated the bracket seeding for the first round.
The 30-year-old narrowly reached the semifinals in what would end up being a common theme. Hernández did not go on the torrid string of consecutive home runs often seen in the Derby but had just enough clutch swings to be crowned champion at Globe Life Field.
Crushed, courtesy of Teo!
(🎥: @Dodgers) pic.twitter.com/ufgLouBLKl— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) July 16, 2024
All-Star swing in the Home Run Derby.
(🎥: @MLB) pic.twitter.com/edc4Gm7egw— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) July 16, 2024
Regardless of what Witt does, what a performance for Teoscar Hernández. He made every #Dodgers fan proud!
(🎥: @MLB) pic.twitter.com/oqetVPLyQT— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) July 16, 2024
The winning homer!
(🎥: @MLB) pic.twitter.com/FBf6tqp0yj— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) July 16, 2024
Built for the moment! Teoscar Hernández shines on the brightest stages.
(🎥: @MLB) pic.twitter.com/7zSmBNdYcr— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) July 16, 2024
The moment Teoscar Hernández became a #HRDerby champion 💙
(🎥: @Dodgers) pic.twitter.com/JsPxexdpIX— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) July 16, 2024
Hernández is playing in his second career All-Star Game on Tuesday but the Home Run Derby represented a first.
Hernández had the support of fellow Dodgers All-Stars throughout the night and in particular received sound advice from Shohei Ohtani.
“He said to hit the ball to left-center,” Hernández revealed after winning. “To not pull it, because I had a better chance, because of the way my swing was, to go over there. It’s far, but he said, ‘It’s better for you.’”
Tyler Glasnow additionally lent some words of encouragement during timeouts and between rounds, and was part of the group that mobbed Hernández the minute he became the 2024 Home Run Derby champion.
Toronto Blue Jays All-Star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. dressed in a jersey of his former teammate’s and was eager to celebrate Hernández as well.
How did Teoscar Hernández win Home Run Derby?
Teoscar Hernández hit 49 total home runs and his longest was 466 feet.
He had the fourth-best performance in the first round with 19 homers and initially tied with Philadelphia Phillies All-Star Alec Bohm in the semifinals with 14. That sent them into a three-swing swing off, which Hernández won by slugging two homers.
Hernández continued his trend of winning by just one dinger as his 14 in the championship round bested Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.’s 13.
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