AUTHOR
Blake Williams
Teoscar Hernández announced on ESPN that he will represent the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2024 MLB Home Run Derby.
It marks the first time Hernández will participate in the event. He previously expressed interest in joining the event, and now that becomes a reality.
“Just to get the opportunity to be in there, enjoy that moment, to enjoy the stage,” Hernández said on ESPN. “Like I always say, just have fun and try to win everything.”
Hernández also announced Dodgers third base coach Dino Ebel will be pitching to him at the event. He also mentioned he will get some practice for it while the Dodgers finish out the first half of their season in Detroit.
The Dodgers’ slugger currently ranks 12th in MLB with 19 home runs, and he’s fifth in the National League. He also ranks 13th in the NL in slugging percentage (.480).
Only Shohei Ohtani (28) and Christian Walker (22) have more home runs than Hernández in the NL. Over his career, Hernández has hit 178 home runs, an average of 32 per 162 games.
His inclusion also makes it an even split of four American League participants and four from the NL.
Hernández joins a field that includes Gunnar Henderson, Bobby Witt Jr., José Ramírez, Adolis García, Marcell Ozuna, Pete Alonso and Alec Bohm.
The 31-year-old is in the midst of a rebound season after struggling with the Seattle Mariners last season.
He signed a one-year prove it deal in hopes of getting back on track, and his All-Star selection was a little more special because of that.
“A lot of people expected me to not perform well after last season. But in my mind, I was just working hard. I know the things that I can do on the baseball field.
“And when you work hard and you put a lot of things, a lot of effort in, good things happen at the end of the day.”
Hernández is now a two-time All-Star, last making the AL team in 2021 with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Dodgers history in Home Run Derby
Hernández becomes the latest Dodgers player to participate in the Home Run derby, most recently done by Mookie Betts in 2023.
In addition, recent Dodgers to participate include Joc Pederson (2019, 2015), Max Muncy (2018), Cody Bellinger (2017), Corey Seager (2016), Yasiel Puig (2014) and Matt Kemp (2011-12).
Prior to that, Hee-Seio Choi (2005), Raúl Mondesí (1995) and Mike Piazza (1993-94) were the only Dodgers to participate.
