The 2023 Home Run Derby is shaping up to be one for the books!
The Texas Rangers announced on July 5 that outfielder Adolis Garcia will compete in the iconic event, which will take place on July 10 at T-Mobile Park in Seattle — the site of the highly anticipated MLB All-Star Game (July 11 at 8 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app).
Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert also announced on July 5 that he will be taking part in the event.
The Baltimore Orioles confirmed on July 3 that star catcher Adley Rutschman will be participating in the event. He will also be making his All-Star debut for the first time in his two-year career.
New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso confirmed his participation on July 2, saying: “You can count me in, guys.”
Alonso is a two-time derby champion, having won in 2019 and 2021, and he’s looking to join Ken Griffey Jr. as the only MLB player to win the Home Run Derby three times in his career.
The Tampa Bay Rays confirmed on July 1 that left fielder Randy Arozarena will be participating for the first time. He’s just the third player in Rays history to take part in the home run derby and the first to do so since 2009.
The 28-year-old former AL Rookie of the Year launched 20 homers in both 2021 and 2022.
Los Angeles Dodgers star outfielder Mookie Betts will also be taking part in the derby for the first time, the team confirmed on June 30.
The seven-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion will be up against some tough competition.
Toronto Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. threw his hat in the ring on June 29, announcing that he’ll be taking part in this year’s competition.
Seattle Mariners star outfielder and 2022 American League Rookie of the Year Julio Rodríguez was the first to confirm his involvement in this year’s event, which will take place at his home ballpark, on June 23.
Rodríguez, more affectionately known as “J-Rod,” is the reigning runner-up, having narrowly lost to three-time Silver Slugger Award winner, two-time All-Star and World Series champion outfielder Juan Soto in Los Angeles in 2022.
What time does the Home Run Derby start?
The 2023 MLB Home Run Derby will start at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, July 10.
How can I watch the MLB Home Run Derby?
The 2023 Home Run Derby will be shown live on ESPN, ESPN.com, MLB.com and MLB.TV.
2023 MLB Home Run Derby participants, bracket
The eight-man field has filled up with an exciting list of talented players:
- Julio Rodríguez, OF, Seattle Mariners
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B, Toronto Blue Jays
- Mookie Betts, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers
- Randy Arozarena, OF, Tampa Bay Rays
- Pete Alonso, 1B, New York Mets
- Adley Rutschman, C, Baltimore Orioles
- Luis Robert, OF, Chicago White Sox
- Adolis Garcia, OF, Texas Rangers
Baseball fans can expect fireworks in Seattle, which is hosting the event for the first time since 2001.
The slugfest will precede the highly anticipated MLB All-Star Game, which is currently in the process of forming its roster. You can find an up-to-date list of finalists here.
There could be more big names taking part in the action.
Los Angeles Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani also hasn’t ruled out participating in the event, either. He told reporters that his participation in the event will come down to his pitching schedule.
“I don’t know when my next [pitching] start is, and it really kind of depends on that,” Ohtani said through his interpreter recently. “I haven’t thought that far ahead yet.”
The two-way Japanese superstar participated in the 2021 Home Run Derby in Denver, losing to Soto 31-28 in the second swing-off in the first round. He didn’t take part in last year’s event.
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