Major League Baseball has announced the first player to join this year’s Home Run Derby, Gunnar Henderson. Henderson, who won the AL Rookie of the Year award last season, is currently tied for second in the majors with 26 home runs, only behind Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees. He also leads the majors with eight leadoff homers, putting him just five behind Alfonso Soriano’s big league record.
The new format for the Home Run Derby includes a field of eight competitors competing in the first round, with the top four advancing to a bracketed semifinal. The winners of the semifinal bracket will then face off in the final round to determine this year’s champion. The event is scheduled to take place on July 15 as part of the All-Star festivities at Globe Life Field in Texas.
Henderson is a contender for the AL East-leading Orioles and has been making waves in baseball since his rookie season. If you want to receive personalized newsletters with great stories delivered right to your inbox, create or log in to your FOX Sports account and follow your favorite leagues, teams, and players for more information on games, news, and more from Major League Baseball.
