Loser: Pete Alonso
One of many all-time nice Derby opponents, Alonso did not carry his A-game to Texas. The 2-time Residence Run Derby champ (2019, 2021) entered as the favourite this 12 months (+275) however flamed out with the second-lowest house run complete of the primary spherical (12).
Winner: Alec Bohm
The largest lengthy shot getting into the competition, Bohm (+1800) exceeded all expectations as he took Hernandez to a swing-off within the semifinals. Bohm, the Phillies first-round choose (third general) of the 2018 MLB Draft, leads the majors in doubles (33) however solely had 11 house runs in the course of the first half of the season. With teammates Bryce Harper, Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber, the Phillies do not want Bohm to be an influence hitter, however he confirmed he can maintain his personal.
Loser: Derby guidelines
MLB continues to make the Derby extra complicated than it must be. The league eradicated the bracket-style match and reinstated a free-for-all within the first spherical, which was the one benefit of the format.
Gamers got three minutes, or 40 batted balls, to hit house runs, adopted by an untimed interval with three outs to hit as many lengthy balls as doable. And if a participant hit a ball over 425 toes within the untimed interval, they acquired a fourth out.
After that, the highest 4 batters superior to a bracket-style semifinal, with the highest home-run hitter within the first spherical going towards the fourth-place finisher and Nos. 2-3 squaring off within the different semifinal.
Whereas we respect MLB for considering exterior the field, we lengthy for the times when gamers merely had 10 outs to hit as many house runs and whoever hit probably the most superior.
Winner: Jose Ramirez
The Guardians third baseman lacked the ability the remainder of the sector possessed, however he made up for it by tying Bohm for probably the most house runs within the first spherical. Ramirez beforehand bowed out within the first spherical of the 2022 Derby in a head-to-head matchup with Yankees outfielder Juan Soto, and his 17 house runs have been the fewest amongst all derby contributors that 12 months. He redeemed himself on Monday.
Loser: Betting odds
Alonso wasn’t the one prime contender to battle. Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson, who entered with the second-best odds and probably the most regular-season house runs amongst this 12 months’s opponents (28), hit 11 house runs, the bottom of the primary spherical.
In reality, of the 4 semifinalists, three had odds larger than +1000 getting into the day, together with Hernandez (+1100).
Winner: Bryce Harper
The 2-time NL MVP did not want to select up a bat to steal the present. Throughout Bohm’s timeout within the first spherical, Harper handed him a water — sorry, wooder jug — for hydration.
