As the 2024 season enters its midsummer recess, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. 2024 Home Run Derby:
While the All-Star Futures Game and Day 1 of the MLB Draft both kicked into gear over the weekend, All-Star festivities are kicking into high gear today with this year’s Home Run Derby scheduled to take place at 7pm CT. The event is set to be broadcast on ESPN and features a new set of rules, including the top four hitters from the first round advancing into a bracket-style tournament in the semifinals as opposed to previous years where a bracket was present from the beginning of the derby. MLB.com offers a detailed look at the full rules changes for tonight’s event.
Two-time derby champion Pete Alonso will try to win a third title in five attempts, while Rangers outfielder Adolis Garcia will look to win the derby in his home ballpark. Ken Griffey Jr. holds the record for the most derby wins with three. Bryce Harper (2018) and Ryne Sandberg (1990) are the only two players to ever win on their home field. Alonso and Garcia will be joined in the event by Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez, Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm, Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson, Braves DH Marcell Ozuna, Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernandez, and Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.
2. Draft Day 2:
Day 1 of the MLB draft kicked off with the Guardians selecting Oregon State second baseman Travis Bazzana with the first overall pick. By the end of the night, 74 picks had been made in total across the first two rounds. Day 2 of the draft, which will cover rounds three through ten, starts at 1pm CT this afternoon. Per MLB Pipeline, outfielder Dakota Jordan (No. 34 in the class) is the top college player still available, while right-hander and University of Iowa commit Joey Oakie (No. 46) is the top high schooler still on the board after right-hander William Schmidt (No. 16 in the class) announced that he’ll be honoring his commitment to LSU yesterday afternoon. The Athletic’s Keith Law, meanwhile, considers second baseman Peyton Stovall (No. 34) to be the top college player while listing outfielder and Auburn commit D’Marion Terrell (No. 52) as the best prep talent remaining.
3. Soroka injury scare:
White Sox right-hander Michael Soroka was pulled from his outing against the Pirates after just one out yesterday thanks to what the team has described as right shoulder soreness. As noted by MLB.com’s Injury Tracker, he’s set to be evaluated further during the All-Star break. It’s a frustrating situation for Soroka, who will celebrate his 27th birthday next month. The righty was among the most exciting young pitchers in the game back in 2019, when he earned an All-Star nod, finished second in Rookie of the Year voting, and even received down-ballot Cy Young consideration.
Soroka suffered four consecutive lost seasons after that, however, making just ten appearances from 2020-23 due to injuries. He was finally healthy entering the 2024 campaign but has not looked like the same pitcher. He’s struggled to a 5.23 ERA and 5.40 FIP and found himself dropped from the rotation in Chicago by mid-May. Soroka has performed nicely in a multi-inning relief role since then, logging a 3.45 ERA (3.37 FIP, 3.07 SIERA) with a massive 36.7% strikeout rate. Granted, he’s also walked 14.1% of his opponents in that time, but it’s still easy to imagine the pending free agent getting some trade interest based on that strikeout rate — if he can show he’s healthy after the break.
Todd Frazier also won the home run derby on his home field in 2015 with the Reds.
Came here to say this – cannot stand for Todd Frazier erasure
for sure tanner, he was actually the 1st guy to do it after Sandberg.
Gotta feel for Soroka. Dude was promising and then just got hit by a train.
I’m taking Pete. I think he wants it more than any of them.
SODOMOJO: I like the fact that Alonso still participates despite not winning it the last (2?) years. I like that he doesn’t give up.
I still believe the only person that can take down the polar bear is Julio just because Julio puts all of his energy in the round against Alonso
Homerun derby is so boring and too long.
Old York: HR are what made baseball even more popular thanks to Ruth. A friend of mine used to ask me to record only Dave Kingman’s AB’s so he could watch him hit HR(s) in about five minutes.
Dave Kingman didn’t simply hit home runs. He hit buildings, windows, and cars parked a mile away.
DK hit a lot more air than buildings though!
@avenger65
Sure, HRs can be fun during a game, not in batting practice. If you want to see guys hit ridiculous HRs in batting practice, you can usually see that before every game and there are 162 games per team, so not had to check them out.
If they want to spice it up, I’d say get some fireballers up against these sluggers and see what the result is. If the guy can tank a 102MPH fastball, I’d say he wins the match.
Old york at this level these guys have the batspeed to hit 102 a mile if they know its coming and have 20 hacks at the same pitch.but youd need a machine since i dont think the hr derby pitchers get 20-30 seconds to recover between pitches
@Poolhalljunkies
Sure, use a machine. Would be interesting to see who can hit a HR at the highest velocity. Now that is worth watching. Not some batting practice session.
All in all, an average to below average first round class. Hitting in the second and third round is what separates a good team with a knowledgeable front office and scouting department from the likes of the Angels and other bottom dwellers. Ditch the lottery and go back to letting teams tank. It’s their money they stand to lose by doing so.
Pete Alonso is my best bet to win it especially with the weak field this year, but don’t sleep on ozuna or Henderson those are strong men
Ozuna is gonna give him a run for his money.
Teoscar for the win.
So glad Pete “Put me on the ASG team or I won’t compete in HR Derby” Alonzo got embarrassed with lowest score of the first 6 participants..and is OUT of the competition in 1st round! Not only out, but has the lowest score so far! Conceited! Probably kept Lindor and/or Nimmo from making the ASG Team because of his selfish self!!