2022 MLB Home Run Derby Takeaways
There will be no three-peat to be had for Pete Alonso, as the 2022 Home Run Derby crowned a new champion of the slugging realm. Juan Soto took home the coveted prize on Monday as he etched his name into the MLB All-Star Game lore with his first-ever Home Run Derby title after falling to Alonso in last year’s edition of the event. Outside of that momentous victory for Soto, there were plenty more captivating stories throughout the derby in Dodger Stadium.
Nitrobetting is ready to lend a hand to its bettors with their winning bets to be shot out of the park. This time, let’s relive the 2022 Home Run Derby with our three biggest takeaways from the Midsummer Classic’s special event.
Three Takeaways from the 2022 MLB Home Run Derby
Enjoyed the show.
— MLB (@MLB) July 19, 2022
See ya tomorrow for the Midsummer Classic. pic.twitter.com/yrRU5A9T2q
An All-DR Finale to Remember
In a Home Run Derby final battle between two of the fastest-rising players from the Dominican Republic, Nationals standout outfielder Juan Soto edged out the Mariners’ star rookie Julio Rodriguez with a final tally of 22-18. Soto became the second-youngest player to win the Home Run Derby and also holds the record for the longest homer in the derby’s history with last year’s 520-foot moon shot.
It was a valiant effort for big-league newcomer Rodriguez, who pulled off the upset against reigning champion Pete Alonso in the second round, 31-23. The current front-runner to win the AL Rookie of the Year Award this season at (-385) just made his case for the hardware even stronger after this stunning performance, and expect Rodriguez to come back even stronger in next year’s run of the derby.
Junior’s Derby Record Still Stands
Speaking of sensational Mariners players, the legendary Ken Griffey Jr. was in attendance Monday and let out a sigh of relief when Alonso was beaten by fellow Seattle superstar Rodriguez in the second round. Griffey holds the record for most Home Run Derby titles with three and his mark was in danger of being rivaled before Polar Bear Pete’s dud of an outing during his third title defense.
Nevertheless, Alonso further extended his all-time home runs tally to a whopping 174 dingers across three derby appearances and remains a (+750) favorite to win the 2022 NL MVP award to date. Only one man has a long-ball total in the Home Run Derby in the triple digits, which leads us to…
Pujols Upsets Schwarber in the First Round
Future Hall-of-Famer Albert Pujols made the most out of his final Home Run Derby appearance and pulled off a huge first-round upset over top-seeded Kyle Schwarber. Pujols and Schwarber were tied at 13 homers apiece in regulation, with the former narrowly beating out the latter in sudden death with a final tally of 20-19.
Those 20 homers gave Pujols 106 career deep balls at the derby, putting him second on the all-time list behind Alonso. However, with current champion Soto already having 99 home runs and with the likes of other younger talent in Joc Pederson (99), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (91), and the aforementioned Rodriguez (80) not far behind, it won’t be long until one of these bright stars of MLB’s future will surpass the 42-year-old myth on the all-time Home Run Derby list.
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