Ranking the Best MLB Home Run Derbies in History

The Home Run Derby is one of the most exciting events of the entire MLB season.

Every July, eight of the best power hitters in the MLB get together and put on a show for the fans at All-Star Weekend.

With so many memorable derby moments over the years, we ranked our top-10 editions in the history of the competition.

10. 2010 Home Run Derby

The field in this Home Run Derby wasn’t great. Matt Holliday, Nick Swisher, Chris Young and Vernon Wells were great baseball players, but they didn’t make too much competition in the derby.

That left David Ortiz to battle future teammate Hanley Ramirez in the championship, and Ortiz’s incredible final round earned him the title of Derby champ.

9. 2015 Home Run Derby

A player winning the Derby in his home stadium is always something special. That was the case in 2015 when Todd Frazier was named one of the eight Derby participants.

After defeating Prince Fielder and Josh Donaldson, Frazier went to the finals against Joc Pederson. Frazier tied Pederson’s 14 home runs, and then in his first swing in bonus time, Frazier sent it into the bleachers for the win, and the crowd went crazy.

8. 1999 Home Run Derby

Massachusetts residents driving on the Massachusetts Turnpike were nearly in danger when Mark McGwire came to the plate. The slugger belted home runs over the Green Monster, into Lansdowne Street, and nearly onto the Mass Pike.

It was a back-and-forth Derby between McGwire and Ken Griffey Jr., but in the end, The Kid earned another Home Run Derby title.

7. 2018 Home Run Derby

It was the case of another hometown hero in the 2018 Home Run Derby. Bryce Harper was named to represent the Nationals in D.C., and the face of the franchise advanced to the finals to take on his future teammate Kyle Schwarber.

Decked out in an American Flag arm sleeve and cleats, Harper was the clear crowd favorite. In the final seconds of bonus time, Harper launched a home run to defeat Schwarber.

6. 1993 Home Run Derby

This Home Run Derby was something special, and it was because of one player. Ken Griffey Jr. won three Derbies in his long career, and although this Derby was not one of those wins, he accomplished something no player had ever done before.

One of The Kid’s home runs hit the B&O Warehouse in right field, a feat that no player had ever done before in Baltimore. To this day, Griffey Jr. is the only person to have ever hit it that far at Camden Yards.

5. 2023 Home Run Derby

The 2023 Derby was one for the ages. There was a little bit of everything in the Derby, including Adley Rutschman switching sides in the middle of his turn.

But in the end, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. took down Randy Arozarena in the championship round which made Guerrero Jr. and his Dad the first father-son duo to ever win the Home Run Derby.

4. 2017 Home Run Derby

It was the year of Aaron Judge, who quickly rose to stardom after launching 30 home runs before the All-Star break en route to hitting 52 home runs in the season, setting a rookie record.

But during the Home Run Derby, Judge’s power was on full display as he hit four home runs that were recorded at over 500 feet.

3. 2019 Home Run Derby

This Derby was an absolute battle between Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Pete Alonso as the ball was flying in Cleveland. Guerrero Jr. was locked in as he launched an incredible 40 home runs in the second round, but Alonso was determined to win.

The Mets slugger went on to win the Derby as he launched a total of 131 home runs which was 32 more than Joc Pederson who had previously held the record for most homers in a Derby.

2. 2005 Home Run Derby

Bobby Abreu stunned everyone with his Home Run Derby performance in 2005. Abreu represented Venezuela in the Derby and wasn’t a huge favorite since he wasn’t the most well-known home run hitter.

However, Abreu launched an incredible 24 home runs in the first round and went on to defeat Ivan Rodrigeuz in the final round.

1. 2008 Home Run Derby

The greatest Home Run Derby performance in history was by Josh Hamilton in 2008. In the first round, Hamilton launched 24 home runs, which included 13 in a row, into the bleachers in the Bronx.

He hit a total of seven homers that traveled at least 500 feet, and he joked that he was trying to hit one out of the stadium. Although Justin Morneau won the Derby, Hamilton’s performance will never be forgotten.