Washington Nationals star Juan Soto received his first Dwelling Run Derby on Monday evening, holding off Seattle Mariners rookie Julio Rodríguez 19-18 within the closing.
The 23-year-old Soto hit 53 complete homers, beating every of his three opponents by one homer within the midseason energy showcase. Soto was locked in on the plate even after spending an hour earlier at Dodger Stadium answering repeated questions on his potential departure from the Nats after turning down an enormous contract extension.
"It feels wonderful. It feels tiring," Soto mentioned. "I simply tried to pay attention to sq. off the balls, as a result of I do know I've the facility."
Soto beat Cleveland's José Ramírez 18-17 within the first spherical earlier than getting previous 42-year-old Albert Pujols 16-15 to achieve the ultimate.
Soto then began slowly whereas batting second behind the Mariners' 21-year-old phenom within the closing spherical, failing to hit his first homer till his tenth swing. He finally caught fireplace to win a full of life Derby that started with an on-field pyrotechnics show that spooked the rivals.
Soto's longest homer of the evening traveled 471 ft, and he hit the profitable 415-foot homer with 20 seconds of bonus time to spare, then whipped his bat within the air earlier than being swarmed by different Dominican All-Stars.
Soto earns a $1 million prize and one other spotlight on his resume as his time with Washington probably nears an finish. The Athletic reported over the weekend that Soto turned down a $440 million, 15-year contract to stick with the Nationals, and he may very well be traded by the tip of the month.
"Proper now, I am not even serious about it," Soto mentioned whereas hoisting the trophy over his head. "I am a champion, and I can be a champion for the Nationals."
Rodríguez signaled his arrival on baseball's largest stage with a dynamic three-round efficiency at Chavez Ravine, the place he nonetheless hasn't performed but for the Mariners. Solely 4 gamers had managed to hit 30 homers in a single Derby spherical earlier than Rodríguez did it in every of his first two rounds, and he completed the evening with 81 of them.
His 32 dingers in opposition to Texas' Corey Seager within the first spherical had been the second-most ever in that spherical, and the rookie added 31 within the semifinals to oust two-time defending champion Pete Alonso, who had 23.
Pujols beat top-seeded Kyle Schwarber in a heartwarming first-round upset earlier than Soto completed his evening in a victory that most likely did not a lot hassle Pujols, an idol to fellow Dominican stars reminiscent of Soto and Rodríguez.