The Home Run Derby is making some significant changes to its format for this year’s event, which will take place on July 15 in Arlington, Texas. One of the most notable changes is the limit on the number of pitches each hitter can face in each round. In the first round and semifinals, each hitter will have either three minutes or 40 pitches, whichever comes first. In the final round, a hitter will get two minutes or 27 pitches. These time limits do not include the bonus periods that hitters will get in each round.
In previous years, hitters faced a time limit but had no restriction on the number of pitches they could face. Now, each hitter will receive bonus pitches until they hit into three outs during that period. If a hitter hits a home run that goes at least 425 feet in the bonus period, he gets a fourth out. This change aims to make the competition more fair and exciting for all participants.
Another significant change is in the opening round setup. Previously, eight hitters competed in a tournament with one-on-one matchups based on their season home run totals. This year, all eight hitters will compete against each other in the opening round, with the top four advancing to the semifinals. The semifinalists will be seeded based on the number of home runs they hit in the first round. This change allows for more flexibility and unpredictability in the competition’s outcome.
While Major League Baseball has not yet confirmed all the players participating in this year’s Home Run Derby, Baltimore’s Gunnar Henderson announced on social media that he would be competing. Last year’s Home Run Derby was won by Toronto’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who demonstrated exceptional power and skill at hitting long homers. It remains to be seen which players will compete this year and how they will perform under these new rules and formats.
Overall, these changes aim to make the Home Run Derby more exciting and competitive while also providing more opportunities for players to showcase their skills and talents. With new rules and formats come new possibilities for upsets and surprises, making it an even more thrilling event for fans to watch and enjoy!
