Some MLB players know how to put on a show, making them the perfect fit for baseball's slugfest.
From Julio Rodriguez and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to Pete Alonso and Aaron Judge, the Home Run Derby has seen its fair share of mashers in recent history.
The Mariners star put on an unbelievable performance in front of his home crowd at T-Mobile Park in 2023, smacking 41 dingers during his opening round to set a record.
The Home Run Derby is a marathon, though, and players who can hit more bombs than anyone else over the course of three rounds (almost) always come out on top. That's exactly what Guerrero Jr. did in 2019 when he hit a record 91 homers at Progressive Field in Cleveland.
Who are the Home Run Derby record holders? The Sporting News has what you need to know.
MORE: Home Run Derby winners by year: Complete list of MLB players to win baseball's slugfest
Most home runs in a round
The 2023 first-round performance from Rodriguez? That would be a record. No one has ever hit more than Rodriguez's 41 home runs in a single round.
The previous record was set during an epic showdown between Guerrero and Joc Pederson in the 2019 semifinals. Guerrero edged out Pederson after three swing-offs 40-39, after the two tied 29-29 at the end of regulation.
Guerrero would lose in the final to Alonso. Two years later, Alonso hit the third-most in a round, 35 at Coors Field, with Soto hitting 31.
In the 2022 Home Run Derby, Rodriguez hit 32 home runs in the first round, the most by any rookie in the history of the derby.
| Player | Team | Year, round | Park (city) | HRs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Julio Rodriguez | Mariners | 2023, first round | T-Mobile Park (Seattle) | 41 |
| Vladimir Guerrero Jr. | Blue Jays | 2019 semifinals | Progressive Field (Cleveland) | 40 |
| Joc Pederson | Dodgers | 2019 semifinals | Progressive Field (Cleveland) | 39 |
| Randy Arozarena | Rays | 2023, second round | T-Mobile Park (Seattle) | 35 |
| Pete Alonso | Mets | 2021 first round | Coors Field (Denver) | 35 |
| Julio Rodriguez | Mariners | 2022 first round | Dodger Stadium (Los Angeles) | 32 |
| Juan Soto | Nationals | 2021 first round | Coors Field (Denver) | 31 |
| Julio Rodriguez | Mariners | 2022 second round | Dodger Stadium (Los Angeles) | 31 |
| Vladimir Guerrero Jr. | Blue Jays | 2019 first round | Progressive Field (Cleveland) | 29 |
MORE: Ken Griffey Jr., Pete Alonso lead list of sluggers with multiple Home Run Derby titles
Most home runs in a year
Once again, it shouldn't come as a surprise that all of these totals were compiled after 2014. But it does highlight some of the great showdowns of recent years.
Guerrero's 91 homers in 2019 are the record, but to be fair to Alonso, he never got to hit first in a round and set a total. Guerrero, on the other hand, always had to go first as the No. 8 seed. In other words, Alonso was limited to 57 because he only had to reach cutoff numbers.
Rodriguez already came up close to Guerrero in his rookie season with 81.
| Player | Team | Year | Field (city) | HRs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vladimir Guerrero Jr. | Blue Jays | 2019 | Progressive Field (Cleveland) | 91 |
| Randy Arozarena | Rays | 2023 | T-Mobile Park (Seattle) | 82 |
| Julio Rodriguez | Mariners | 2022 | Dodger Stadium (Los Angeles) | 81 |
| Pete Alonso | Mets | 2021 | Coors Field (Denver) | 74 |
| Vladimir Guerrero Jr. | Blue Jays | 2023 | T-Mobile Park (Seattle) | 72 |
| Julio Rodriguez | Mariners | 2023 | T-Mobile Park (Seattle) | 61 |
| Giancarlo Stanton | Marlins | 2016 | Petco Park (San Diego) | 61 |
| Joc Pederson | Dodgers | 2019 | Progressive Field (Cleveland) | 60 |
| Trey Mancini | Orioles | 2021 | Coors Field (Denver) | 59 |
| Pete Alonso | Mets | 2019 | Progressive Field (Cleveland) | 57 |
| Kyle Schwarber | Cubs | 2018 | Nationals Park (Washington) | 55 |
MORE: Home Run Derby format, explained: Number of rounds, time limits and more
Most home runs in a career
It should come as no surprise that Alonso already holds the record given his two titles and his four appearances. But Guerrero and Rodriguez have made up plenty of ground in just two editions of the derby.
Guerrero and Rodriguez have already reached second and third all-time in career derby dingers after a pair of impressive performances to start their young careers.
| Player | Team(s) | Years | HRs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pete Alonso | Mets | 2019, 2021, 2022-2023 | 195 |
| Vladimir Guerrero Jr. | Blue Jays | 2019, 2023 | 163 |
| Julio Rodriguez | Mariners | 2022-23 | 142 |
| Joc Pederson | Dodgers | 2015, 2019 | 99 |
| Juan Soto | Nationals | 2021, 2022 | 99 |
| Todd Frazier | Reds, White Sox | 2014-16 | 91 |
| Giancarlo Stanton | Marlins | 2014, 2016, 2017 | 83 |
| Randy Arozarena | Rays | 2023 | 82 |
| Prince Fielder | Brewers, Tigers | 2009, 2012 | 81 |
| David Ortiz | Red Sox | 2004-06, 2010-11 | 77 |
| Albert Pujols | Cardinals, Angels | 2003, 2007, 2009, 2015 | 71 |
| Ken Griffey Jr. | Mariners, Reds | 1990, 1992-94, 1997-2000 | 70 |
| Bryce Harper | Nationals | 2013, 2018 | 69 |
MORE: Why did Ken Griffey Jr. wear his hat backwards? MLB legend's iconic fashion choice
Who is the youngest Home Run Derby champion?
Juan Gonzalez is the youngest Home Run Derby champion at 23 years, 8 months and 23 days. He won the competition in 1993 at Camden Yards in Baltimore.
Juan Soto is the second youngest player to ever win the Home Run Derby (2022, Dodger Stadium). The difference between him and Gonzalez? One day.
Here are the youngest Home Run Derby champions:
- Juan Gonzalez (1993) - 23 years, 8 months, 23 days
- Juan Soto (2022) - 23 years, 8 months, 24 days
- Ruben Sierra (1989) - 23 years, 9 months, 3 days
- Darryl Strawberry - 24 years, 0 months, 28 days
- Wally Joyner (1986) - 24 years, 4 months, 2 days
MORE: Youngest Home Run Derby winners: Juan Soto, Darryl Strawberry atop the list
Who is the oldest Home Run Derby champion?
David Ortiz is the oldest Home Run Derby champion at 34 years, 7 months and 24 days. He hoisted the trophy in 2010 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif.
Teoscar Hernandez won the 2025 Home Run Derby at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas at 31 years and 9 months, making him the oldest player to do so since Big Papi.
Here are the oldest Home Run Derby champions:
- David Ortiz (2010) - 34 years, 7 months, 24 days
- Dave Parker (1985) - 34 years, 1 month, 6 days
- Luis Gonzalez (2001) -33 years, 10 months, 5 days
- Andre Dawson (1987) - 33 years, 0 months, 2 days
- Vladimir Guerrero (2007) - 32 years, 4 months, 28 days
MORE: Home Run Derby chain, explained: How Pete Alonso, Daddy Yankee inspired the tradition
What is the longest home run in a Home Run Derby?
The longest home run ever hit in the Home Run Derby is a 524-foot blast from Sammy Sosa in the 2002 competition. The Cubs outfielder put on a show at Miller Park in Milwaukee, unofficially hitting three separate dingers at least 518 feet.
Here's a look at some of the longest home runs at the Home Run Derby:
- Sammy Sosa (2002) - 524 feet
- Sammy Sosa (2002) - 520 feet
- Juan Soto (2021) - 520 feet
- Frank Thomas (1994) - 519 feet
- Josh Hamilton (2008) - 518 feet
- Sammy Sosa (2002) - 518 feet
- Trevor Story (2021) - 518 feet
MORE: Longest homers in Home Run Derby history: Complete list of biggest tape-measure shots