Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández won the 2024 Home Run Derby at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. He edged out Kansas City Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. 14–13 in a tense final round to secure his first-ever title. Hernández became the first player in Dodgers franchise history to capture the trophy. He took home the $1 million prize after surviving a grueling night of deep flies, a brand-new format, and a dramatic swing-off in the semifinals.
The event carried a fresh set of rules designed to curb fatigue and alter strategy. Instead of immediate head-to-head brackets, all eight sluggers competed in an open first-round pool. The top four advanced to the knockout stage. While overall home run totals dipped compared to previous high-octane years, the drama down the stretch created one of the most memorable midsummer nights in recent memory.
Complete 2024 Home Run Derby Results and Scores
The field featured a mix of young power hitters and seasoned veterans. The first round established the seeding for the semifinals based on raw home run output.
Here is how every participant performed across the rounds:
- Teoscar Hernández (Los Angeles Dodgers): 19 HRs (Round 1) | 14 HRs + 2 swing-off HRs (Semifinals) | 14 HRs (Finals)
- Bobby Witt Jr. (Kansas City Royals): 20 HRs (Round 1) | 17 HRs (Semifinals) | 13 HRs (Finals)
- Alec Bohm (Philadelphia Phillies): 21 HRs (Round 1) | 14 HRs + 1 swing-off HR (Semifinals)
- José Ramírez (Cleveland Guardians): 21 HRs (Round 1) | 12 HRs (Semifinals)
- Adolis García (Texas Rangers): 18 HRs (Round 1 — Eliminated)
- Marcell Ozuna (Atlanta Braves): 16 HRs (Round 1 — Eliminated)
- Pete Alonso (New York Mets): 12 HRs (Round 1 — Eliminated)
- Gunnar Henderson (Baltimore Orioles): 11 HRs (Round 1 — Eliminated)
Alec Bohm and José Ramírez set the early pace in the opening round, each launching 21 homers. Meanwhile, Derby favorite Pete Alonso struggled to find his rhythm, managing just 12 long balls and bowing out early.
How the 2024 Format Changes Impacted the Field
Major League Baseball adjusted the tournament rules to manage hitter exhaustion and introduce new tactical wrinkles. You can review the official mechanics through MLB and historical context on Baseball-Almanac.
The structural updates included:
- Open First Round: All eight participants hit in a single pool. The four highest totals advanced, eliminating pre-set first-round matchups.
- Pitch and Time Limits: Hitters had either three minutes or 40 pitches in the regulation periods of the first and semifinal rounds, whichever came first.
- Shorter Finals: The championship round shortened limits to two minutes or 27 pitches.
- The Bonus Period: Hitters entered an untimed bonus round after regulation, continuing until they recorded three non-home run outs. Hitting a ball 425 feet or further during this phase earned an extra out.
These changes resulted in a total of 225 home runs hit across the entire event. That total dropped significantly from previous years, such as 2023 when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. led a barrage of 341 total homers. Hitters couldn't rely on sheer endurance alone, placing a heavier premium on barrel accuracy during the shortened windows.
Key Moments and Turning Points
The signature moment of the night arrived in the semifinals during the matchup between Teoscar Hernández and Alec Bohm. Both sluggers tied with 14 home runs through regulation and bonus periods.
That tie forced a sudden-death swing-off—the first of its kind since 2022. Each hitter received three swings. Bohm managed only one home run, while Hernández connected on two, including a dramatic 456-foot blast that booked his ticket to the finals.
In the final round, Witt set a challenging target with 13 home runs. Hernández responded methodically, using his timeout to regroup before hitting his 14th home run with just seconds to spare. Witt's final swing of the night hit off the left-center-field wall, sealing the victory for the Dodgers outfielder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2024 Home Run Derby?
Teoscar Hernández of the Los Angeles Dodgers won the competition, defeating Bobby Witt Jr. 14–13 in the final round.
What was the prize money for winning?
The champion Teoscar Hernández earned $1 million, while runner-up Bobby Witt Jr. took home $750,000. The remaining pool was distributed among the other participants.
Why were fewer home runs hit in 2024?
The new rules reduced pitch limits to 40 per round and regulation time to three minutes. These restrictions limited the extended pacing that previous sluggers used to rack up massive cumulative totals.
Did Pete Alonso participate in 2024?
Yes. Two-time champion Pete Alonso participated in the event but was eliminated in the first round after hitting 12 home runs.
