Rays' Randy Arozarena Beats Rangers' Adolis Garcia in 1st Round of Home Run Derby

The rising star built up enough of a lead to fend off his fellow Cuban slugger and punch a ticket to the semifinals.

Randy Arozarena didn't even need any bonus time to pick up a first round win Monday evening.

The Tampa Bay Rays left fielder won his first round matchup with Texas Rangers right fielder Adolis Garcia to open the 2023 MLB Home Run Derby at T-Mobile Park. Arozarena hit 19 home runs in the allotted three minutes, then five more in the extra 30 seconds, whereas Garcia ended his night with 17.

Neither batter had an additional 30-second bonus to work with, since neither hit multiple homers over 440 feet. Arozarena hit one, compared to Garcia's zero.

Arozarena led off the night and did not appear to be overly satisfied with his performance while he was at the plate. Arozarena's attitude changed as he saw his fellow Cuban slugger come up short, though.

Garcia first dapped Arozarena up, but then Arozarena fully leapt into Garcia's arms in celebration.

Entering the skills challenge, SI Sportsbook gave Arozarena +800 odds to come out on top. The 2020 ALCS MVP and 2021 AL Rookie of the Year is hitting .279 with 16 home runs, 58 RBI, a .855 OPS and a 2.7 WAR, putting him on pace for career-highs in each category.

Arozarena becomes the first Rays player ever to win a derby round.

With Arozarena's semifinal bid now locked in, the Tampa Bay rising star was set to face either Chicago White Sox centerfielder Luis Robert Jr. or Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman in round two. Robert beat Rutschman 28-27, setting up another battle of Cuban batters later in the night.

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