New angle shows how painfully close Bobby Witt Jr. came to a Home Run Derby swing-off

The 2024 MLB Home Run Derby: An Exciting FinaleThe 2024 MLB Home Run Derby: An Exciting Finale Despite a seemingly weaker lineup than in previous years, the 2024 MLB Home Run Derby delivered a thrilling spectacle, featuring young stars and unexpected twists. Kansas City Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr., a fan favorite, emerged as a strong contender, even against veteran slugger Pete Alonso. In a surprise turn of events, Alonso was eliminated early, while Witt advanced to the championship round, facing Los Angeles Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernandez. Hernandez put on an impressive display, hitting 14 homers with two minutes left and earning a bonus round. Witt then showed his determination, hitting 11 homers and earning a bonus round with a 425-foot drive. Down 14-13, Witt almost forced a tie with a massive drive left-center, but it fell just short, hitting the bottom of the wall. This gave Hernandez the victory, making him the first Los Angeles Dodgers player to win the Home Run Derby. Witt’s run in the Derby was historic, as he became the first Royals player to make it past the first round. Despite his loss, he remained upbeat, describing the event as “fun.” Hernandez, on the other hand, became a legend in Dodgers history, showcasing his power with 49 homers throughout the competition. While Witt fell short of the title, he is likely to be a contender again next year at the Home Run Derby in Atlanta.

What a 2024 Home Run Derby MLB has set up for fans On paper, this was likely seen as the weakest field of contenders than in previous years, especially since Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge were not participating. However, it opened the door for younger players to compete, including Kansas City Royals star Bobby Witt Jr.

Witt was a popular pick to win the 2024 MLB Home Run Derby, even with two-time winner and New York Mets star Pete Alonso still in the league. Still, Alonso was the first-ever player cut, while Witt made it to the championship round. A surprise candidate awaited him in the form of Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernandez.

With two minutes on the board, 27 pitches at his disposal and earning a bonus round, Hernandez hit 14 homers. Then it was Witt who showed a flair for the dramatic during his championship run. Witt earned the bonus round with 11 homers at his disposal. After being limited to one out, Witt earned another with a home run that traveled 425 feet. Down 14-13, Witt appeared to force a swing-off for the Home Run Derby title with a monster drive to left-center field. But Witt’s drive bounced off the bottom of the wall for the final out, giving Hernandez the win.

Bobby Witt Jr. was SO close to tying it photo.twitter.com/R0EAjGnKs4

— Talking Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 16, 2024

As if the ESPN broadcast isn’t enough, check out this angle from the outfield seats at Globe Life Field, courtesy of the Talkin’ Baseball Podcast.

The entire stadium was in shock after that final blow from Bobby Witt Jr. photo.twitter.com/iqxsR11L4z

— Talking Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 16, 2024

So. Close. What a way to end what turned out to be one of the most exciting Home Run Derbies in a long time.

There’s nothing for Witt to be ashamed of. After all, he was the first Royals player to make it past the first round of the Derby. That’s right, no Royals player has ever made it past the second round of the Home Run Derby.

For the curious: Witt said after the event via X (or Twitter) that the Home Run Derby “was fun.”

That was fun!

—Bobby Witt Jr (@BwittJr) July 16, 2024

As for Hernandez, he is now the first Los Angeles Dodgers player in history to win the Home Run Derby. Hernandez hit 49 homers in the entire Home Run Derby, while Witt hit 50.

Although Witt was unable to secure the win, we expect him to be back in contention for the title at next year’s Home Run Derby in Atlanta.