The 2024 Home Run Derby kicks off this Monday at the Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Occurring one day before the 2024 All-Star game, the Home Run Derby is one of the most enjoyable nights of baseball in the season.
Some rule changes are being rolled out this year.
This year, the derby will begin in leaderboard style, with all eight batters having their chance, then the top four moving forward, with No. 1 facing No. 4 and No. 2 facing No. 3, in a bracket setup. This replaces the former setup, which saw No. 1 through No. 8 facing off in a bracket setup from the start.
While home runs in the set amount of time is still the goal, there is now a total pitch limit. A round will end when the time expires, which is three minutes in the first two rounds and two in the final, or when the batter passes the pitch limit of 40 for the first two rounds and 27 for the final.
The bonus round has been changed as well. Previously, 30 seconds of bonus time would be given to a player, which could be doubled if they made two home runs over 440 feet during their round. Instead, the bonus round will now end when the player records three “out” (non-homers). In addition, if a player makes a home run of at least 425 feet in their bonus round, they will be given an extra out.
The players attending are Atlanta Braves designated hitter Marcell Ozuna, Baltimore Orioles infielder Gunnar Henderson, Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt, Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm, Cleveland Guardians third baseman José Ramírez, Texas Rangers outfielder Adolis García, Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández, and New York’s own Pete Alonso, first baseman for the Mets.
