Bobby Witt Jr. finishes runner up at 2024 MLB Home Run Derby
ARLINGTON, Texas (KCTV) - Kansas City’s resurgence onto the national baseball scene continued Monday night during Major League Baseball’s 2024 Home Run Derby.
With the eyes of the baseball world upon him, Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. was on center stage, finishing runner-up, mere feet from the derby title.
The 24-year-old from Colleyville, Texas, blasted 20 home runs in the opening round and another 17 in the second round to beat Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez and advance to the finals.
READ MORE: Royals focus on pitching during Day 2 of 2024 MLB Draft
Witt Jr. met Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernandez in the finals.
Hernandez, who beat Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm to reach the finals, hit 14 home runs. Witt Jr., with his brother-in-law James Russell pitching, smashed 13 home runs.
The Royals shortstop had 11 when his two-minutes and 27 pitches ran out in the finals. He added one long home run with his back against the wall and two outs in the bonus period, adding a fourth out to his disposal. Witt Jr. then hit a 13th home run and was one blast away from tying Hernandez when he swung at a pitch down and in from Russell for his third out.
On his final swing of the night, Witt Jr. hit a towering blast that bounced off the wall in deep left center field for his fourth out, leaving him feet shy of the derby title.
Witt Jr. took to social media after the contest, saying “That was fun!” in a post on the platform formerly known as Twitter.
On Tuesday night, Witt Jr. will appear in his first All-Star game, after being selected for the first time this July. The Royals’ face of the franchise is one of four All-Stars, along with catcher Salvador Perez, and pitchers Seth Lugo and Cole Ragans.
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