Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Wins 2023 Home Run Derby
Vladdy brought the slug to Seattle.
The Blue Jays first baseman blasted his way to a Home Run Derby title, posting 72 dingers across three rounds and nudging out Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena in the finals.
After blowing out Los Angeles’ Mookie Betts in the first round, Guerrero stole the show from hometown star Julio Rodriguez in the semi-final. The Blue Jays slugger chased down Rodriguez’s 20 homers with ease, tying the mark before his bonus minute started. As Guerrero walked away from the plate in the semis, he gestured to the Seattle crowd “one more,” soon stepping back up to the plate and smacking his 21st blast to clinch a spot in the last round.
In the finals, Guerrero set the pace with 25 knocks, embracing with Blue Jays manager (and batting practice tosser) John Schneider after the final dinger. Tampa’s Randy Arozarena came close to sending the competition to a tiebreak, but fell just short at 23 homers.
Guerrero’s ’23 derby performance came four years after his debut in the event. The slugger posted an all-time record 91 homers back in the 2019 HR Derby, though ultimately fell to New York’s Pete Alonso in the final. After sitting out of the competition for four years following his debut, Guerrero returned to take his title in 2023.
“I’m just happy to be in this moment right now,” Guerrero Jr. said on the ESPN broadcast.
Mitch Bannon is a baseball reporter for Sports Illustrated covering the Toronto Blue Jays and their minor league affiliates.Twitter: @MitchBannon