The 2024 Home Run Derby gets underway at Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers, at 8 p.m. ET., and airs on ESPN.
This is the 39th year MLB will put on the home run derby, and perhaps the only constants have been dingers and rules changes. This year, the first-round seeding has been removed; the eight contestants will simply bash as many home runs as they can in the first round, and then the top four will move on to the semi-finals. There, first-round homer totals determine the seeding, with the No. 1 seed facing the No. 4 seed.
MLB has made other tweaks to this year’s Derby, as well, introducing pitch limits. In the first two rounds, hitters will be given three minutes or 40 pitches, whichever comes first, to hit as many home runs as they can (bonus time excluded). In the finals, the thresholds drop to two minutes or 27 pitches.
Eight players, four from each league, are vying for the Derby crown. Alonso will be participating in his fifth Derby and looking for his third win, while Garcia — who went out early in last year’s Derby — will look to take the title in his home park. Here are the contestants:
National League:
Pete Alonso (Mets)
Alec Bohm (Phillies)
Teoscar Hernandez (Dodgers)
Marcell Ozuna (Braves)
American League
Gunnar Henderson (Orioles)
Adolis García (Rangers)
Jose Ramirez (Guardians)
Bobby Witt Jr. (Royals)
