2022 MLB Home Run Derby: Juan Soto tops Julio Rodriguez to continue dramatic week
Juan Soto's future is the talk of MLB All-Star weekend, but his present now includes a Home Run Derby title.
The Washington Nationals slugger (for now) defeated fellow phenom Julio Rodriguez of the Seattle Mariners 19-18 to win the Derby in a week that has seen so much trade speculation and contract discussions.
The moment Juan Soto became a #HRDerby champ! pic.twitter.com/VoSXTeczj9
— MLB (@MLB) July 19, 2022
Soto entered the All-Star break in dramatic fashion, as it was reported Saturday that Soto had turned down a 15-year, $440 million contract extension offer from the Nationals, who would start taking trade calls on one of the game's brightest young stars. Soto did his best to deflect the talk during All-Star media availability, with his agent Scott Boras lingering beside him, and did the same as he received the trophy.
“Right now, I don’t even think about it. I think I’m a champion, and I will be a champion for the Nationals,” Soto told ESPN after the win.
Soto hit 53 homers the whole night, though his total was limited by going second each round as the higher seed.
Rodriguez reached the final with a show of force. The phenom unloaded the most homers of any player in the Derby in a single round with 32 in the first round, knocking off old Dodger Stadium friend Corey Seager in the process.
The semifinal was Rodriguez's true moment of arrival, as he took down two-time defending champion Pete Alonso with 31 homers to 23. Rodriguez set a high bar going first, showing off the kind of pull power the Derby often rewards.
Soto's route was less impressive, eeking out an 18-17 win over Jose Ramirez then advancing to face one of his idols in Albert Pujols. He beat the Dominican legend 16-15, needing to use much of his bonus time to clear the bar. It was all love at the end of the semifinal, though.
Nothing but love between Juan Soto and Albert Pujols. #HRDerbypic.twitter.com/TBy2RbFf1D
— MLB (@MLB) July 19, 2022
Albert Pujols still delivered the best moment
All it took was one Home Run Derby to show why allowing the MLB commissioner to add an aging legend to the All-Star rosters was very good idea.
Pujols, competing in his fifth Derby, delivered arguably the best moment of the event. Or, rather, every other All-Star did:
RE5PECT.
Everybody loves Albert. #HRDerbypic.twitter.com/qTNRZuZRAs
— MLB (@MLB) July 19, 2022
Pujols shocked top overall seed Kyle Schwarber 20-19 in a swingoff, the most dramatic round of the night. He would have less luck against Soto, but the cheers of Dodger Stadium as he took down Schwarber was all it took to show the fans appreciated the effort.
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