The Hometown Kid showed out, totaling up 39 home-runs on the night
Monday night played host to the 30th anniversary Home Run Derby competition. With that anniversary, the famed event brought us a new format that saw timed rounds, unlimited swings, and a bracket system. With everything different from years past, we weren’t sure what was to come, but one thing for certain is that we were going to be entertained. As the event went on, we must say that the new format gave us possibly one of the most entertaining Derby’s that we’ve seen in all its history. Seeing the participants giving it their all in the event that was an all out competitive showdown between the sluggers the entire time.
Live from Great American Ballpark, home field of the hosting Cincinnati Reds, the event kicked off with Baseball great and 3x Home Run Derby champion, Ken Griffey Jr, who threw out the ceremonial first pitch at one of his former home parks. Catching that first pitch, was Griffey’s father, Ken Griffey Sr.
Once everything settled in, the first match-up between Anthony Rizzo and Josh Donaldson was underway. Coming in at a fast pace, the Cubs first-baseman had a tough time adjusting, Rizzo blasted the first of his 8 home runs about a minute and ten seconds into his timer. Learning from his competitors miscues, the Toronto Blue Jays outfielder, Josh Donaldson came in and outshined Rizzo by out-homering him by just one home run but did so with ease.
Making his return for his third derby was the hard hitting first basement Prince Fielder, who showed his power out the gate, slapping the first two pitches deep over the outfield wall. He finished with 13 total and four that went over 450 feet. His competitor, the hometown man himself, Todd Frazier, wasn’t going to let Fielder outshine him. After a slow start, Frazier turned it on and tied Prince just as his time winded down during his at-bat. He was able to pass him with his 30-seconds bonus time (earned for hitting 240+ ft. HR), crushing the first pitch he seen for his 14th home run to advance on to next round.
Joc Pederson, the youngest contestant in Home Run Derby history, was set to go against Manny Machado of the Baltimore Orioles. Machado went first hitting 12 home runs, including a towering 469 foot home run. That wasn’t enough to top the rookie sensation, who prevailed hitting 13 home runs in the regulation time, without needing his bonus.
Albert Pujols had his hands full with a young star in Kris Bryant. Kris hit 8 home runs in the regulation and then another one during his bonus time to take his total to 9. It took Pujols til the absolute last second, a buzzer beater to hit his 10th to move onto the semifinals.
The final four included Albert Pujols, Joc Pederson, Todd Frazier and Josh Donaldson. With home field advantage, Frazier was able to top Donaldson in regulation with 10 home runs. Which moved him into the finals, sending the Cincinnati crowd into frenzy. The last spot in the final was up for grabs and it was between the oldest versus the youngest. Pederson set the stage hitting 12 home runs, which included 3 in bonus time. Final match-up in the Home Run Derby included Todd Frazier and Joc Pederson.
With the possibility of being the youngest winner in Home Run Derby history. Joc Pederson was poised to be in the spotlight, looking to spoil the hometown fun. Joc started off the final slow, but soon got into rhythm. Hitting 6 in a row and then 13 in regulation, eventually finishing with 14. Todd Frazier looked to stop all the talk of the youth. This was his home stadium and he showed all of us. Tying Pederson’s 14 home runs and then into bonus time, where his first swing was the money shot, notching his 15th home run in the round to go on and win the 2015 Home Run Derby after being the runner up to Yoenis Cespedes last year.
Frazier finished the night with the most home runs, with a total of 39 long balls.
