MLB Homerun Derby Review
Last night, MLB put on the best Home run Derby in years, which was highlighted by a new format that was so damn great.
Rain in the Cincinnati area caused MLB to changed the rules even more than they anticipated, and it was all for the better.
The five-minute time limit per batter per round was shortened to four minutes, a previously announced 60-second time extension for home runs exceeding 475 feet was changed, with players now receiving a 30-second bonus if they hit two homers of at least 425 feet.
Thanks to drastic changes, we had brackets, we had a clock, and there were more incentives on the line not just for swinging for the fences but for swinging well beyond the fences.
The event was so enjoyable to watch because it don't drag and their was a sense of urgency. Check out my live round by round coverage.
Rain in the Cincinnati area caused MLB to changed the rules even more than they anticipated, and it was all for the better.
The five-minute time limit per batter per round was shortened to four minutes, a previously announced 60-second time extension for home runs exceeding 475 feet was changed, with players now receiving a 30-second bonus if they hit two homers of at least 425 feet.
Thanks to drastic changes, we had brackets, we had a clock, and there were more incentives on the line not just for swinging for the fences but for swinging well beyond the fences.
The event was so enjoyable to watch because it don't drag and their was a sense of urgency. Check out my live round by round coverage.
I think hitters might be better served by ignoring the clock and instead focusing on taking good swings -- swings that flow from a proper set-up.
- Rizzo tallies eight in the first round. That's the number for Josh Donaldson to beat.
- Donaldson hits his ninth with less than 30 seconds on the clock, so he'll advance to face the winner of Todd Frazier-Prince Fielder.
- Frazier homers in bonus time to top Prince Fielder 14-13. He'll move on, and Fielder won't win the Derby for a third time.
This new Derby format is working tremendously well. We're seeing infinitely better pacing than in years prior and palpable tension when the clock's running down on the second competitor in each match-up. Well done, MLB.
- Strong opening round for Manny Machado, as he records 12 homers.
- Joc Pederson's up and has energy in his swing and his strong fly-ball distance and exit velocity readings.
- With 1:05 left on the clock he hit his 13th and advanced
- Cubs rookie Kris Bryant hits nine.
- You'd think top seed Albert Pujols will be able to top that.
- He hit his 10th at the buzzer to advance and end Bryant's night.
- Donaldson with a disappointing nine in the second round.
- Frazier will certainly have a good opportunity to make it to the finals.
- Frazier put a beating on center field an environs and got the 10 homers he needed to advance to the finals.
- Pederson with a strong 12 in his second round performance.
- Pujols mustered 11 homers but was thus eliminated.
- He looked gassed by the end of it.
The finals matchup is set: Dodgers’ Joc Pederson vs. Reds’ Todd Frazier.
- Frazier will have the hometown crowd behind him.
- Pederson with another impressive display, ripping 14 homers in the championship round.
- Frazier calls timeout with 2:35 left and five home runs. He needs nine to tie Pederson and 10 to beat him.
- It’s all over. Todd Frazier wins this year’s Home Run Derby in dramatic fashion, scorching a line-drive into the left-field seats in bonus time to knock off Joc Pederson.
It’s really only fitting this whole thing came down to the hometown guy winning on a walk-off in bonus time. This format finally made this thing a must-see event.