Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodriguez Clubs 41 Homers in First Round of Home Run Derby, Advances to Semifinals

Seattle Mariners superstar Julio Rodriguez hit 41 home runs in the first round of the Home Run Derby on Monday night, vanquishing two-time champion Pete Alonso of the New York Mets and advancing to the semifinals.

Seattle Mariners superstar Julio Rodriguez hit 41 home runs in the first round of the Home Run Derby on Monday night, advancing to the semifinals after defeating New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso.

Alonso hit a still-impressive 21 homers but was denied a chance to become a three-time Derby champion. Ken Griffey Jr. is still the only three-time winner of the event.

Rodriguez got four minutes of time to hit, which allowed him to inflate his number. He got the three minutes of initial time plus two additional :30 second bonuses. 

His great performance came alongside 24 homers from Randy Arozarena (Rays), 17 from Adolis Garcia (Rangers), 27 from Adley Rutschman (Orioles), 28 from Luis Robert Jr. (White Sox), 26 from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays), 11 from Mookie Betts (Dodgers) and the 21 from Alonso. 

He'll take on Guerrero in the semis.

Rodriguez is one of the most identifiable young players in the entire sport, having won American League Rookie of the Year honors in 2022 while leading the Mariners to the playoffs for the first time since 2001.

This year, he's hitting .249 with 13 homers for the M's, who are currently 45-44 and six games back in the American League West. They are four games back in the wild card chase.

Seattle will start the second half of the season on Friday, July 15, when they are home to the Detroit Tigers.

In addition to his participation in the Home Run Derby, Rodriguez is also a reserve for the All-Star Game itself. He was named as a replacement for Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez, who is out with an oblique injury.

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