When the 2019 Home Run Derby line-up was announced, there were mixed reactions from baseball fans seeing Vladimir Guerrero Jr. included on the list.
Many Toronto Blue Jays fans would say it’s an obvious choice after watching Vladdy take batting practice before games. But other fans around the league questioned why he was included after hitting eight home runs so far this season.
All of that doubt was put to rest after the first round. Guerrero Jr. smashed 29 home runs in his first at-bat, setting a first-round record in the process. In a second-round that featured a playoff and two swing-offs, he hit 40 homers and advanced to the finals.
At the end of the night, Vlad Jr. finished second to the New York Mets‘ Pete Alonso.
Fans took to Twitter throughout the night to share their thoughts about the youngest player ever to compete in the Home Run Derby, starting with immediate reaction to his record-breaking first-round.
My lawd Vlad just killed those baseballs #HRDerby
— Andrew (@andrew_cottrell) July 9, 2019
Next, Vlad Jr. and Los Angeles Dodgers‘ Joc Pederson both hit 29 home runs in the second-round.
In the extra-minute playoff for the finals, Guerrero Jr. and Pederson tied again with 37 total homers. This led to a swing-off, where each player has three swings.
One swing-off was not enough, though. Vladdy took it home with two home runs in the second swing-off, ending his second-round with a total of 40 home runs.
KEEP THIS GOING ALL NIGHT #HRDerby Vlad Jr vs Pederson is everything I never knew I needed
— Sarah Hager (@SarahKHager) July 9, 2019
YES, THAT WAS REAL LIFE.
Thank you for the show, boys. #HRDerby pic.twitter.com/KWAlrxonfE
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) July 9, 2019
OMG
— Vladimir Guerrero (@VladGuerrero27) July 9, 2019
In the finals, Guerrero Jr. faced Pete Alonso. Despite a long and tiring second-round, the Blue Jay put up 22 home runs, but it was not enough to win the Home Run Derby.
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