The MLB Home Run Derby is a tradition like no other. Who doesn’t dig the long ball? MLB recognized this early on, and began holding an annual home run competition the day before the All-Star Game each year since 1985. We’ve been enjoying the event ever since.
Now that we’ve finally reached the 2023 Home Run Derby, there’s a lot of intrigue surrounding the event and its participants. Feel free to use this space as your go-to Home Run Derby guide, providing answers to everything you may want to know.
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Who is participating in the Home Run Derby?
The Home Run Derby participants for the 2023 event features a star-studded lineup. Fans will be stoked to see all eight competitors in their field. Here are the matchups.
- Luis Robert, Chicago White Sox
- Pete Alonso, New York Mets
- Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers
- Adolis Garcia, Texas Rangers
- Randy Arozarena, Tampa Bay Rays
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays
- Julio Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners
- Adley Rutschman, Baltimore Orioles
Odds to win 2023 Home Run Derby
All hitters participating in the Home Run Derby have shown they have the power to hit a ball out of the park in all 30 stadiums. But some hitters do better at certain parks, depending on the dimensions of the field and various other factors. So which hitters have the best betting odds to win the 2023 Home Run Derby? Here are the Home Run Derby favorites, per Vegas Insider.
| Pete Alonso, New York Mets | +300 |
| Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays | +360 |
| Luis Robert Jr., Chicago White Sox | +500 |
| Julio Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners | +600 |
| Adolis Garcia, Texas Rangers | +700 |
| Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers | +850 |
| Randy Arozarena, Tampa Bay Rays | +1000 |
| Adley Rutchman, Baltimore Orioles | +1400 |
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Home Run Derby predictions
As we see every day in the sports world, betting odds rarely translate to actual results. We all watch the games, and we see the hitters just the same, so who do we like to win the 2023 Home Run Derby?
It’s hard to go against Pete Alonso. He’s already taken home the trophy twice and has a chance to become just the second player in MLB history to have three Home Run Derby wins in his career.
But Alonso also has to battle Julio Rodriguez, who knows his home park very well. If Rodriguez comes out hot, Alonso’s chances to win take a hit.
Instead, we’re looking to other sluggers such as Guerrero, Robert, and Rodriguez to potentially steal the crown. Picking a winner, we’ll go with Guerrero, who also has prior experience in the Derby, nearly defeating Alonso as a rookie back in 2019.
Round-by-round matchups
- (1) Luis Robert vs. (8) Adley Rutschman
- (2) Pete Alonso vs. (7) Julio Rodriguez
- (3) Mookie Betts vs. (6) Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
- (4) Adolis Garcia vs. (5) Randy Arozarena
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When is the Home Run Derby?
The 2023 Home Run Derby is on Monday, July 10, at 8 PM ET.
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Where is the Home Run Derby?
The 2023 Home Run Derby is located in Seattle, Washington, at T-Mobile Park, home of the Mariners. It is the second time the Seattle area has hosted a Home Run Derby event. The first of which came in 2001, when the stadium was known as Safeco Field. Luis Gonzalez took home the trophy then.
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How can I watch the Home Run Derby?
There are multiple ways to watch the 2023 Home Run Derby. Viewers looking to tune in can watch via the ESPN channel or on the ESPN app. Interested spectators can also utilize the Roku app to access the Derby this year too.
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Past Home Run Derby participants and winners
| 1985 | Dave Parker | Cincinnati Reds | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (MN) |
| 1986 | Wally Joyner | California Angels (AL) | Astrodome (HOU) |
| 1986 | Darryl Strawberry | New York Mets (NL) | Astrodome (HOU) |
| 1987 | Andre Dawson | Chicago Cubs | Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum (OAK) |
| 1988 | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled |
| 1989 | Eric Davis | Cincinnati Reds (NL) | Anaheim Stadium (LAA) |
| 1989 | Ruben Sierra | Texas Rangers (AL) | Anaheim Stadium (LAA) |
| 1990 | Ryne Sandberg | Chicago Cubs | Wrigley Field (CHC) |
| 1991 | Cal Ripken Jr. | Baltimore Orioles | SkyDome (TOR) |
| 1992 | Mark McGwire | Oakland Athletics | Jack Murphy Stadium (SD) |
| 1993 | Juan Gonzalez | Texas Rangers | Oriole Park at Camden Yards (BAL) |
| 1994 | Ken Griffey Jr. | Seattle Mariners | Three Rivers Stadium (PIT) |
| 1995 | Frank Thomas | Chicago White Sox | The Ballpark in Arlington (TEX) |
| 1996 | Barry Bonds | San Francisco Giants | Veterans Stadium (PHI) |
| 1997 | Tino Martinez | New York Yankees | Jacobs Field (CLE) |
| 1998 | Ken Griffey Jr. | Seattle Mariners | Coors Field (COL) |
| 1999 | Ken Griffey Jr. | Seattle Mariners | Fenway Park (BOS) |
| 2000 | Sammy Sosa | Chicago Cubs | Turner Field (ATL) |
| 2001 | Luis Gonzalez | Arizona Diamondbacks | Safeco Field (SEA) |
| 2002 | Jason Giambi | New York Yankees | Miller Park (MIL) |
| 2003 | Garret Anderson | Anaheim Angels | U.S. Cellular Field (CWS) |
| 2004 | Miguel Tejada | Baltimore Orioles | Minute Maid Park (HOU) |
| 2005 | Bobby Abreu | Philadelphia Phillies | Comerica Park (DET) |
| 2006 | Ryan Howard | Philadelphia Phillies | PNC Park (PIT) |
| 2007 | Vladimir Guerrero | Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim | AT&T Park (SF) |
| 2008 | Justin Morneau | Minnesota Twins | Yankee Stadium (NYY) |
| 2009 | Prince Fielder | Milwaukee Brewers | Busch Stadium (STL) |
| 2010 | David Ortiz | Boston Red Sox | Angel Stadium (LAA) |
| 2011 | Robinson Cano | New York Yankees | Chase Field (AZ) |
| 2012 | Prince Fielder | Detroit Tigers | Kauffman Stadium (KC) |
| 2013 | Yoenis Cespedes | Oakland Athletics | Citi Field (NYM) |
| 2014 | Yoenis Cespedes | Oakland Athletics | Target Field (MN) |
| 2015 | Todd Frazier | Cincinnati Reds | Great American Ball Park (CIN) |
| 2016 | Giancarlo Stanton | Miami Marlins | Petco Park (SD) |
| 2017 | Aaron Judge | New York Yankees | Marlins Park (MIA) |
| 2018 | Bryce Harper | Washington Nationals | Nationals Park (WAS) |
| 2019 | Pete Alonso | New York Mets | Progressive Field (CLE) |
| 2020 | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled |
| 2021 | Pete Alonso | New York Mets | Coors Field (COL) |
| 2022 | Juan Soto | Washington Nationals | Dodger Stadium (LAD) |
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Who has hit the most home runs in the Home Run Derby?
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. holds the MLB’s all-time record for most home runs hit in a single Home Run Derby event with 91. He accomplished this feat in 2019. Julio Rodriguez comes in second with 81 last season, and now he gets to be at his home park.
Pete Alonso holds the all-time record for most total home runs hit across his Home Run Derby career. Appearing in three events, Alonso has hit 174 long balls.
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Who has hit the most home runs in a single round of the Home Run Derby?
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has hit the most home runs in a single round of the Home Run Derby. Back in 2019, Vlad hit 40 round trips in the second round of play.