The 2022 All-Star week festivities continue in Los Angeles on Monday evening with the Home Run Derby. A fan favorite event each and every year, eight sluggers are tasked with hitting as many home runs as possible in a tournament-style competition.
Over the past two weeks, the field of eight contestants took shape, with some unsurprising entrants and some intriguing names joining the field. The most expected player on the bracket is New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso.
Alonso is looking to become the first player in MLB history to win three consecutive Home Run Derbies. Last season, he joined Ken Griffey Jr. and Yoenis Cespedes as only the third player to win the event in back-to-back years. Alonso was the champion of the Derby in 2019 and 2021, but there was no competition in 2020 due to the pandemic.
Below are the full list of participants:
T-Mobile Home Run Derby Participants
Ronald Acuna Jr., Atlanta Braves
Pete Alonso, New York Mets
Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals
Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Guardians
Julio Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners
Kyle Schwarber, Philadelphia Phillies
Corey Seager, Texas Rangers
Juan Soto, Washington Nationals
Beyond Alonso, this is a truly stacked field. Both in terms of talent — with players like Soto, Ramirez, and Acuna Jr. — and storylines — with Pujols and Rodriguez. Having several top 10-level players in the Derby pool always makes the event a more exciting watch.
Meanwhile, fans will also get to witness the final Derby of one of the greatest power hitters in MLB history in Pujols. Participating in his fifth Derby — 2003, 2007, 2009, and 2015 — he joins an elite list of players who have competed in this event at least five times. He is also the oldest player in MLB history, 42, to compete.
On the flip side, rookie phenom Rodriguez of the Mariners will get his swings off as well. Rodriguez has just 16 home runs this season, but is still known for prolific power and being one of the most exciting young players in the game today.
Derby Format and Bracket
Like last season, the eight players have been ranked based on their current 2022 home run total and will face off via a bracket format. The matchups and home run totals are listed below.
1. Kyle Schwarber (29) vs. 8 Albert Pujols (6)
4. Juan Soto (20) vs. 5. Jose Ramirez (19)
3. Corey Seager (22) vs. 6. Julio Rodriguez (16)
2. Pete Alonso (24) vs. 7. Ronald Acuna Jr. (8)
TV Information
The 2022 T-Mobile Home Run Derby takes place on Monday, July 18 at 5:00 p.m. PT. It is at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California.
The Derby’s main broadcast is on ESPN, but there will be a secondary StatCast broadcast hosted by ESPN2. ESPNRadio and ESPN Deportes will also host the event.
ESPN’s main broadcast is led by Karl Ravech, Eduardo Perez, Buster Olney, and Marly Rivera. The ESPN2 broadcast is led by Jason Benetti, Jessica Mendoza, and Mike Petriello.