Vladimir Guerrero Jr. takes 2023 Home Run Derby Title

The 2023 T-Mobile Home Run Derby kicked off the MLB All-Star break on Monday night. 

Vlad Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays became the 2023 Home Run Derby champ, defeating Randy Arozarena in the final round of the competition. Guerrero Jr. totaled 25 homers in the finals, beating Arozarena’s 23. 

Guerrero Jr. , who held the number 6 seed in the challenge, managed to secure extra time in the final round with two shots that went at least 440 feet, his longest home run of the day reaching 456 feet. 

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. joined his father as the first father-son duo to have both won the competition. Guerrero Jr. , who had not competed in the Derby since 2019, came out and showed off his power, following in his fathers footsteps and taking home the trophy. 

Vlad Guerrero Jr. was not the only one making headlines at last night's Derby. The entire competition was full of historic and exciting moments. 

Another father son duo graced the Derby stage in the first round. Orioles rookie catcher Adley Rutschman had his father throw batting practice for him at T-Mobile park, living out a lifelong dream for him and his dad to both be donning Major League uniforms on a Major League diamond. The two had an incredibly special moment that left fans feeling their excitement alongside them. 

The rookie had an impressive outing hitting 28 home runs in his allotted time, but was still knocked out of the first round by Luis Robert Jr. (White Sox). 

One of the most exciting matchups came in the first round: Julio Rodriguez vs two-time Derby champion Pete Alonso. Rodriguez, who dons the nickname J-Rod, made history in his home park in Seattle. J-Rod surpassed the record number of homers in one round with 41, passing Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s former record of 40 that he set in 2019. 

Alonso barely had a chance after Rodriguez’s historic outing, and the two-time champ had to say goodbye after the first round. 

All-Star festivities will be continuing today, Tuesday the 11th, with the All-Star Red Carpet, with the All-Star game coming later in the evening. The stars of Major League Baseball will be showing off tonight, giving fans a fun show during the break in regular season games.