Major League Baseball revealed updated rules and a new format for the Home Run Derby going into effect this summer.
The league said Sunday that in the first round and semifinals, participants will see a maximum of 40 pitches over three minutes. That is followed by three bonus outs; players will continue hitting until they make three more outs. They can earn a fourth bonus out if they hit a home run of 425 feet or longer during bonus time.
The same rules will apply to the finals, but that will be a max of 27 pitches over two minutes for each finalist.
Gone are the days of an eight-player bracket. All eight contestants will take turns during the first round, and the players with the top four totals will advance, seeded one through four. Any ties will be broken based on the longest home run each player hit in the round.
The No. 1 seed will face the No. 4 in the semifinals, and No. 2 will oppose No. 3.
Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson is the first known player in the field. Henderson announced his intent to compete during an in-game interview for “Sunday Night Baseball” as his Orioles faced the Texas Rangers.
The Home Run Derby is July 15 in Arlington, Texas, one day before the All-Star Game. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays is the defending champion.
–Field Level Media
