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July 10 (UPI) — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. shattered the final-round record by hitting 25 home runs to secure his first Home Run Derby title on Monday in Seattle, defeating Randy Arozarena.
“I feel immense joy,” commented Guerrero during the ESPN broadcast live from T-Mobile Park. “I’m thrilled to be experiencing this moment right now.”
With this triumph, Guerrero and his father, Vladimir Guerrero Sr., became the first father-son duo to win Home Run Derby titles. His father had claimed the crown in 2007.
Throughout the three-round competition in Seattle, Guerrero hit a total of 72 home runs. With an average distance of 408 feet and exit velocity of 106.1 mph, according to Statcast.
For his outstanding performance, Guerrero earned a first-place prize of $1 million.
Arozarena from the Tampa Bay Rays hit a total of 82 home runs, with an average distance of 403 feet and exit velocity of 104.2 mph. However, he fell just short of the title, hitting 23 home runs in the final round.
In the first round, Guerrero defeated Mookie Betts of the Los Angeles Dodgers with a score of 26-11. The Toronto Blue Jays first baseman then beat Julio Rodriguez of the Seattle Mariners 21-20 in the semifinals, securing his spot in the finals.
Arozarena defeated Adolis Garcia of the Texas Rangers 24-17 in the first round. He then triumphed over Luis Robert Jr. of the Chicago White Sox with a score of 35-22, securing his spot in the finals.
Starting off the final round, Guerrero displayed excellent form at the plate. He proceeded to hit more than two dozen home runs, with an average exit velocity of 106.6 mph towards the end of the round.
Arozarena initially struggled to respond to Guerrero, but began heating up towards the end of the round. However, he fell three home runs short of surpassing Guerrero’s final round total.
“I thought the pressure was on him,” Guerrero commented. “I believed that if he succeeded, then so be it. But I managed to come through.”
Rodriguez set a record in the first round by hitting 41 home runs, the most for a single round of a Home Run Derby. He eliminated Pete Alonso, a two-time champion and first baseman for the New York Mets, in the first round.
The defending champion Juan Soto of the San Diego Padres did not participate in this year’s competition.
Robert hit the longest home run of the event, with a 484-foot blast in the semifinals. He narrowly defeated Adley Rutschman, catcher for the Baltimore Orioles, in the first round.
The 2023 MLB All-Star Game will be broadcasted at 8 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, on Fox.
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