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MLB Power Rankings: Top 20 Greatest HR Derby Performances. Read the MLB Power Rankings: Top 20 Greatest HR Derby Performances
MLB Power Rankings: Top 20 Greatest HR Derby Performances
With the 2025 MLB HR Derby just days away, let’s take a look back at some of the most memorable moments of the classic event. What were the most iconic moments? Will you agree with our selections? Let’s dive in!
Julio Rodríguez's Electric Debut
Julio Rodriguez established himself as one of the game’s rising stars in the 2022 MLB HR Derby. In his debut campaign, Rodriguez would dethrone Corey Seager in the opening round and then multi-HR Derby Champion Pete Alonso in the second round. While he eventually fell ot Juan Soto in the finals, this kickstarted his massive second half. Rodriguez would finish the campaign by claiming the AL Rookie of the Year, a Silver Slugger, and placing seventh in AL MVP voting.
Yoenis Cespedes Makes a Name for Himself
Despite not earning a bid to the 2013 All-Star Game, Yoenis Cespedes shocked everyone and won the HR Derby. In just his second season, Cespedes would go toe-to-toe with rising star Bryce Harper and narrowly defeat him in the finals. Cespedes would finish the campaign with 21 doubles, 26 home runs, and a .737 OPS.
The Kid Hits Ball Across the Street
Even though Ken Griffey Jr. would lose the 1993 HR Derby to Juan Gonzalez, he had one of the most viral moments in event history. The Kid would hit a home run 465 feet, which would hit Camden Yards’ B&O Warehouse across the street. Griffey would go on to win three HR Derby titles during his legendary career. In the 1993 campaign, he led the sport in WAR (8.8) and finished fifth in MVP voting.
Josh Hamilton Takes Over Yankee Stadium
Josh Hamilton made a name for himself during the 2008 HR Derby at Yankee Stadium. Hamilton would waste little time, launching an impressive 28 home runs in the opening round. The crowd rallied behind Hamilton after his journey as he made his return to baseball after battling a drug addiction. Even though he did not win the Derby title, this was one of the most iconic moments in All-Star Weekend history. This season also marked his breakout campaign, as he would later win the AL MVP in 2010.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. vs. Joc Pederson
One of the most excellent rounds of the Home Run Derby occurred in 2019 when Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. faced off against Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson. Guerrero would narrowly defeat Pederson by a score of 40-39, in one of the most memorable duels of all time. Guerrero would eventually fall short to Pete Alonso in the finals. However, as a rookie, Guerrero established himself as one of the game’s rising stars.
Todd Frazier Plays Hometown Hero
Todd Frazier sent the crowd home happy in the 2015 HR Derby. Playing in his home park in Cincinnati, Frazier would knock off a gauntlet of power hitters en route to claiming the title. He would defeat Prince Fielder, Josh Donaldson, and Joc Pederson all by one home run. In the 2015 campaign, Frazier would lead the sport in ABs while posting an .806 OPS.
Shohei Ohtani Makes Derby Debut
Shohei Ohtani became a two-way player in the 2021 season and was not only given the nod to the All-Star Game but was also set to participate in the HR Derby. All eyes were on the sensation as he was set to face superstar Juan Soto in the opening round. Even though Ohtani would fall to Soto by just three home runs, he would eventually win the AL MVP and a Silver Slugger during that season.
Pete Alonso Goes Back-to-Back
Pete Alonso would become an HR Derby legend after winning back-to-back HR Derbys in 2019 and 2021. Since there was no HR Derby during the 2020 season, Alonso’s one-year gap still stood as consecutive titles. In 2019, the Polar Bear would narrowly defeat rising star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the finals. In 2021, Alonso would defeat Baltimore Orioles first baseman/outfielder Trey Mancini in the final round.
Bryce Harper Walks-Off Derby
In front of his home crowd in Washington, D.C., Nationals superstar Bryce Harper would win the 2018 Home Run Derby thrillingly. Harper would defeat Freddie Freeman and Max Muncy in the opening two rounds by just one home run. Then, in the finals, the former top prospect would narrowly defeat Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Schwarber. This moment was even more critical for Harper as his dad was pitching to him.
Aaron Judge His 53 HRs as a Rookie
Participating in the 2017 HR Derby as a rookie, Aaron Judge would showcase his elite raw power to the world. The rookie would defeat Justin Bour, Cody Bellinger, and Miguel Sano en route to capturing the derby title. Judge would launch 47 home runs and hit four balls over 500 feet. He would later win AL Rookie of the Year honors this season and finish second in AL MVP voting. This was just the start of his impressive career.
Ryne Sanderbeg Wins Derby as Second Baseman
Ryne Sandberg is the only primary second baseman in MLB history to win the HR Derby. In fact, during the 1990 season, Sandberg would win the derby in front of his fans at Wrigley Field. In addition, this was one of the strangest derbies in league history, as there were just five home runs during the event. The wind limited the offense, but Sandberg was able to overcome the conditions.
Giancarlo Stanton's 61 HRs
In 2016, Miami Marlins outfielder/designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton took over the HR Derby. The 6-foot-6 slugger launched an incredible 61 home runs en route to winning the derby. In the opening round, he hit an impressive 24 home runs. His 61 total home runs still stands as a derby record, without counting swing-offs. The following season. Stanton would win NL MVP honors as he led the sport with 59 home runs.
Bobby Abreu's Power Explosion
Stunningly, Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bobby Abreu won the 2005 HR Derby quite easily. In the opening round, Abreu launched 24 long balls. In the final round, he defeated Texas backstop Ivan Rodriguez by a score of 11-5. This was a surprising outcome as Abreu was never viewed as one of the game’s top power hitters, especially when competing alongside Rodriguez and David Ortiz in this Derby. In fact, his performance could have affected his swing, as he hit only six home runs during the season’s second half, after hitting 18 in the first.
Juan Soto Wins 2022 HR Derby Amid Trade Rumors
Juan Soto stole the spotlight in the 2022 HR Derby for several reasons. First, he narrowly defeated breakout star Julio Rodriguez in the final round by just one home run. However, more importantly, during this time of the season, Soto was at the forefront of many trade discussions. The Nationals were at the bottom of the standings, and with Soto nearing free agency, he was viewed as the top name at the trade deadline. He would eventually get traded to San Diego a few weeks later. While the Nationals lost a generational player in this deal, they received James Wood and MacKenzie Gore, among other prospects who have emerged as rising stars in the sport today.
Randy Arozarena Falls Just Short to Guerrero Jr.
Playing in front of his home crowd at T-Mobile Park, Randy Arozarena did not disappoint. The outfielder would launch 24 home runs to defeat Texas outfielder Adolis Garcia quite easily in the opening round. Then, Arozarena would hit a remarkable 35 home runs in the following round to defeat Luis Robert Jr. of the White Sox. However, he would fall just two home runs short of Toronto first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the finals. His 35 home run total in the semifinals was one of the most impressive single-round showings in derby history.
2014 Home Run Derby
We will take a brief detour from memorable moments to less memorable ones. In 2014, Major League Baseball enacted rule changes to the derby that left many fans confused. In this format, each batter only received seven “outs” instead of the previous 10. In addition, the modified format allowed Todd Frazier to reach the finals despite hitting only one home run in the semifinals, compared to Jose Bautista’s four. The league would then change the rules again in 2015 due to criticism, switching to a timer format and removing “outs.”
Trey Mancini's Incredible Performance
Trey Mancini had the support of the entire baseball community during the 2021 HR Derby. Mancini returned to baseball from chemotherapy for Stage III colon cancer just a year prior. This was also Mancini’s only appearance in the HR Derby during his seven-year career, making the evening all the more significant. He would also put on an incredible show, as he defeated Joey Gallo and Trevor Story en route to reaching the finals. However, he fell to Pete Alonso, who won his second-straight derby.
Bo Jackson Making a Surprise Appearance in 1989
Bo Jackson was initially not expected to participate in the 1989 Home Run Derby, but was added to the participant list as a replacement. Jackson immediately won the crowd over as he launched several blasts deep into the Anaheim sky. He brought great excitement to the game, and his performance at this derby helped popularize the event to the general audience. During the 1989 campaign, Jackson would hit 32 home runs and finish 10th in MVP voting.
Albert Pujols Patriciates in Legendary Farewell Tour
We will round out this list with one of the final moments in Albert Pujols’ legendary career. In 2022, Pujols became the oldest player in MLB history to participate in the derby, at 42 years old. In his final campaign, Pujols would defeat the Philadelphia slugger Kyle Schwarber in the opening round. While he would eventually lose to Juan Soto in the semifinal, this is a powerful tribute to one of the greatest players the game has seen.
