Teoscar Hernández became the new champion of the MLB Home Run Derby late Monday night.
Hernández edged out Kansas City Royals player Bobby Witt Jr. in the last round of the Home Run Derby at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Hernández barely beat out Witt as Witt’s last attempt to tie up the Derby came up short.
Hernández is the first Los Angeles Dodgers to win the Home Run Derby, as well as the seventh Dominican-born player to win. This win has also earned him a $1 million bonus.
The Derby had some changes that helped speed up the event his year, starting with all eight contestants having a chance to hit. After Hernández and Witt moved through that stage and the old bracket-style tournament afterward, the finals was what stood between them and the champion title.
Hernández was the first at bat in the championship round. With a rough start, hitting only four home runs in the first 14 pitches, Hernández cleaned up the second half of his pitches with seven home runs to finish with 11 home runs going into his bonus round, where he brought it up to 14.
Witt came up to bat with that number to beat, but also was slow to start. Missing his first five pitches and then calling his timeout with four runs and 15 pitches left, Witt was in a tough spot. However, he also cleaned up in the second half, matching Hernández’s 11 runs in regulation, going into the bonus.
Witt missed his first two hits in the bonus round, putting him at a massive disadvantage. After two home runs to give him a fighting chance, Witt’s last attempt to tie the round fell just short of the center-field wall. Cameras immediately panned to Hernández, pumping his fist as he was named the new MLB Home Run Derby champion.
