Inside The Dodgers

Dodgers' Teoscar Hernández Achieves Franchise First at Home Run Derby

J.P. Hoornstra|
Jul 15, 2024; Arlington, TX, USA; National League outfielder Teoscar Hernandez of the Los Angeles Dodgers (37) poses with the trophy after he wins the 2024 All Star Game Home Run Derby at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 15, 2024; Arlington, TX, USA; National League outfielder Teoscar Hernandez of the Los Angeles Dodgers (37) poses with the trophy after he wins the 2024 All Star Game Home Run Derby at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports | Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

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Los Angeles Dodgers

Finally, a Dodger has won the Home Run Derby.

Teoscar Hernández did it in his first season on the job.

Hernández, who was among the last to join the field of eight players in MLB's annual midseason slugfest, became the first Dodger player ever to win the event on Monday. He outslugged Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. 14-13 in the final round to claim the winner's chain at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

According to the Associated Press, Hernández's 49 homers over three rounds totaled a distance of 3.98 miles. He beat Alec Bohm of Philadelphia in a semifinal swing-off to advance to the final round against Witt.

Mookie Betts hit 11 home runs at the 2023 Home Run Derby, failing to advance to the second round. Other Dodgers to compete in the event in recent years include Joc Pederson (2019), Max Muncy (2018), Cody Bellinger (2017), Corey Seager (2016), Joc Pederson (2015), Yasiel Puig (2014), Matt Kemp (2011, 2012), Hee-Seop Choi (2005), Raul Mondesi (1995) and Mike Piazza (1993, 1994).

Hernandez was chosen to replace Fernando Tatis Jr. in the National League's starting lineup in the All-Star Game on Tuesday. He'll play center field and bat eighth for manager Torey Lovullo'.

In January, the Dodgers signed Hernandez to a one-year, $23.5 million contract. Since then he has been a stabilizing presence in a lineup that has fluctuated with injuries and underperformance. He's hitting .261 with 19 home runs, 62 RBIs and providing outstanding defense in right field with Mookie Betts transitioning to the infield full-time.

The All-Star nod was already a feather in Hernandez's cap. The Home Run Derby championship amounts to an unexpected treat.

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J.P. Hoornstra
J.P. HOORNSTRA

J.P. Hoornstra is an On SI Contributor. A veteran of 20 years of sports coverage for daily newspapers in California, J.P. covered MLB, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Los Angeles Angels (occasionally of Anaheim) from 2012-23 for the Southern California News Group. His first book, The 50 Greatest Dodgers Games of All-Time, published in 2015. In 2016, he won an Associated Press Sports Editors award for breaking news coverage. He once recorded a keyboard solo on the same album as two of the original Doors.

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