MLB Home Run Derby 2023 results: Round-by-round scores and expert analysis [UPDATED LIVE]

The 2023 MLB Home Run Derby kicks off on Monday night. Pete Alonso has a chance at history, while Julio Rodriguez looks to take home the title in his home park. 

The MLB Home Run Derby bracket is loaded with some of the game’s greatest stars. While the event itself serves as a glorified batting practice, unlike the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, this is an event that regularly delivers. In some ways, it’s better than the actual All-Star Game itself.

The HR Derby bracket lines up like this:

• (1) Luis Robert Jr. vs. (8) Adley Rutschman
• (2) Pete Alonso vs. (7) Julio Rodríguez
• (3) Mookie Betts vs. (6) Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
• (4) Adolis García vs. (5) Randy Arozarena

Alonso, Julio Rodriguez and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. are among the favorites. Alonso is just one Derby title away from tying Ken Griffey Jr., a former Mariner, for most Derbies won. The drama is real at T-Mobile Park, as the hope among fans is that their own homegrown star in Rodriguez will keep Alonso from making history in Seattle.

MLB Home Run Derby 2023 expert picks: Who will win?

Mark Powell, FanSided MLB editor: It’s tough to bet against Julio Rodriguez in this scenario, but often the pressure of a hometown favorite is too much to overcome. My money (quite literally) is on Vladdy, who frequently puts on a show in his live BP. The Jays star is destined to provide the MLB world a reminder of just how talented he really is.

Robert Murray, FanSided MLB insider: Vlad Jr is my pick. I was tempted to go with Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez — he was a popular pick among people at the All-Star Game considering he’s playing in Seattle, per Kevin Henry — but hitting in the Derby in your own stadium comes with a lot of pressure. Can he overcome it? Of course. But I’m going with Vlad Jr.

Cody Williams, FanSided Senior Editor: Randy Arozarena campaigned to get into the derby and got his wish — now it’s time to answer the hype. If the World Baseball Classic was any evidence, though, “some m**********r named Randy” lives for the spotlight and he’ll be firmly in it on Monday night. Julio Rodriguez would’ve been the pick if he wasn’t under hometown pressure in Seattle, so it’s Arozarena taking the crown.

Kevin Henry, FanSided MLB Reporter: When I talked to Josh Hader on the field before the Home Run Derby, he picked J-Rod to go all the way. Who am I to go against the Padres closer and all of these Seattle fans? Let’s say the love from the home crowd pushes Julio not only past the Polar Bear, but the rest of the field as well.

Alicia de Artola, FanSided Editor: I’m going Pete Alonso because he knows how to win it, so why not one more? He’s not winning anything with the Mets this year anyways, so might as well give it his all.

MLB Home Run Derby results, round-by-round scores, highlights, analysis

MLB Home Run Derby Round 1: (4) Adolis García vs. (5) Randy Arozarena

Kevin Henry: Arozarena came out in cowboy boots and did his patented stare and crossed arms when introduced.

https://twitter.com/Cut4/status/1678558763966427136

However, came out with a slow start. Called a time out with 1:32 left. Had 10 hit and longest was 438 feet at that point. Finished with 19 but gets bonus time. Longest was 442,  with five HRs in 30 seconds of bonus time.

Arozarena total: 24 home runs.

Henry: Garcia takes timeout with 1:26 left. Had 10 at the TO with 438 being the longest (exactly what Arozarena had).

Powell: Garcia struggles to keep up with Arozarena after the break. Randy and his boots move on to the next round, and Cardinals fans everywhere cry.

Randy Arozarena moves on.

MLB Home Run Derby Round 1: (1) Luis Robert Jr. vs. (8) Adley Rutschman

Henry: Adley hitting LH has me on high alert. That landed right from of us.

Powell: Gotta love the story behind Adley’s dad throwing him this BP. It’s what baseball is all about.

Henry: TO at 1:29 with nine homers. 445 feet longest. 445 was longest. Finished with 21 before bonus time so solid use of the TO.

Powell: Win or lose, Adley’s swing is one of the prettiest in the game today. Even Ken Griffey Jr. looks impressed. Annnndddddd….he’s switch-hitting in the middle of this damn thing.

Henry: He unlocked the key. Finished with 27, 6 from the right side. He won the crowd over with that one

Adley Rutschman total: 27 home runs

Henry: Luis Robert Jr. making it look easy before his TO. 13 homers with 1:27 to go. Last one was longest so far at 470 feet

Henry: Finished with 27. Still has bonus time. 470 still longest. Needs one to knock out Adley

Powell: Poor Adley, man. An unforgettable performance only to have it washed under the rug.

Henry: Luis Robert Jr. with the walkoff. That’s one way to one-up a switch hitter.

Luis Robert Jr. moves on.

MLB Home Run Derby Round 1: (3) Mookie Betts vs. (6) Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Henry: 11 home runs with a TO at the 1:31 mark. Longest has been 456 feet. Already clinched 30 seconds of bonus time. Finished regulation with 17 homers. Vladdy looks angry when he swings it. Definitely difference in HR approach between him and Luis Robert Jr.

Powell: This dude is a menace, in case the rest of baseball forgot. My goodness.

https://twitter.com/BovadaOfficial/status/1678542339537764352

Henry: Finished total with 26 and longest of 456. Definitely made us of the bonus time.

Vladdy home run total: 26

Henry: Mookie with some solid doubles, but that’s not going to get it done here. No time out yet. An interesting strategy

Powell: Not sure what Betts was really thinking here, but he didn’t give himself much of a chance. Perhaps he wants to watch with the rest of us.

https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1678496372813623316

Henry: Mookie almost gave Vladdy a bye in this round with that performance. Finished with 11. Lowest of the day by far

Vladdy moves on with ease. Thank you, next.

MLB Home Run Derby Round 1: (2) Pete Alonso vs. (7) Julio Rodríguez

Henry: Crowd chanting Julio as he hits a TO with 1:35 left. 14 homers so far and 452 feet for the longest. Between this rhythm of hitting homers and the crowd getting louder and louder, Polar Bear is going to have a tough ladder to climb here in the first round.

Powell: A casual reminder that this is, in fact, his ballpark.

Henry: Finished regulation with 32 homers. Long of 452. Crowd is chanting Julio and Seattle showing its backing its favorite son.

Powell: If Polar Bear can out-do this performance, hand him the crown now. Good lord.

Powell: We are in the month of Julio, goodness. I got nothing. The bonus time was almost unfair.

Henry: History made by Julio Rodriguez, the most in any round (41).

Julio Rodriguez finishes with 41 home runs.

Henry: Alonso takes a time out with 1:21 remaining. 11 homers hit with 450 as the longest.

Powell: Yeah, this isn’t going to happen for the Polar Bear. Not with a 41-home run cushion. Julio moves on to the semis.

Julio Rodriguez moves on.