Toronto Blue Jays star Valdimir Guerrero Jr. picked up a historic win at the Home Run Derby on Monday night.
Guerrero hit a record 25 home runs to beat Rays star Randy Arozarena and win the title at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. His victory came 16 years after his father won the Home Run Derby.
Guerrero only had six home runs when he took his timeout, but managed to hit 20 before his one-minute bonus. He finished his inning at age 25, which set the record for most hit in a final inning and set a very high rating for Arozarena.
Arozarena, with her signature cowboy boots sitting in the dirt just behind home plate, got off to a very slow start. He missed his first five attempts before finally getting on the board, but managed to reach 21 before the end of the round. He also missed the bonus, leaving him only 30 seconds to beat Guerrero. Although he had several chances, he narrowly missed with 23.
Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez shone in front of his home crowd on Monday night.
While he made history with a wild first round at T-Mobile Park, he couldn’t carry it over to the second round.
Rodríguez absolutely dominated his opener in front of a Seattle crowd going wild for him. Rodríguez busted for 32 homers before his bonus minute. He finished with 41, immediately threw his bat and flexed behind the plate. He scored the most successful first-round home runs in derby history, and it was Rodríguez’s third 30 home run in the derby. He is the only player in history to have more than one.
Mets star Pete Alonzo only hit 21 home runs and was easily knocked out.
Rodriguez’s big night, however, ended there. He only hit 20 home runs in his semifinal game, which Guerrero easily matched. Guerrero even started taking pitches before his bonus 60 seconds, where he only needed one homer to reach the championship. Guerrero also had Blue Jays manager John Schneider on the mound for him.
Arozarena flew past Adolis García in his first round, then threw 35 in his second-round game with White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. Arozarena became the fourth player in league history to have 35 homers or more in a single lap at the derby, and the second Monday night.
Robert reached the semifinals after easily beating Orioles wide receiver Adley Rutschman, who shone with a striking performance with his father on the mound early in the night.
Robert, however, only hit 22 homers and failed to catch Arozarena. This sent Arozarena into the final match.
This post will be updated with more information shortly.