Reviewed by: Liv George
Alabama native Gunnar Henderson to participate in 2024 Home Run Derby
Reading time: 3 minutes
Five years after being named as Mr. Baseball for the state of Alabama, Gunnar Henderson is making a name for himself at the professional level.
Since entering MLB with the Baltimore Orioles, Henderson has won the American League Rookie of the Year, a Silver Slugger Award and he has now been named to the 2024 Home Run Derby.
Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about this year’s derby + see why Henderson was selected.
2024 Home Run Derby
The 2024 MLB all-star festivities will be happening at the home of the defending World Series champion Texas Rangers. Here’s what you need to know for the event:
- When: 7PM. Monday, July 15
- Where: Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas
- Watch: ESPN
There will also be a new format for this year’s derby. Eight hitters will have 40 pitches to hit as many home runs as they can in the first round then the top four will advance to bracket play.
The semifinal round will matchup the four remaining players, getting 40 more pitches and the player with the most home runs advances to the final. The championship will be determined by who can hit the most home runs in 27 pitches.
Henderson is the only player to be announced for the Derby so far but with just two weeks until the big day, more announcements should soon follow.
Gunnar Henderson
Gunnar Henderson was born in Montgomery and grew up in Selma, attending a private high school and playing in the AISA.
Henderson was committed to play for Auburn at the college level but the Orioles drafted him straight out of high school in the 2nd round of the 2019 MLB Draft. He would make his debut in August 2022, hitting a home run in his first game.
In 267 career games, Henderson has 58 homers. His 26 home runs this season ranks tied for second in the league with Shohei Ohtani and behind Aaron Judge.
Henderson will become the 13th Orioles’ player to participate in the home run derby, the most for any team in the majors. The team’s two previous winners — Cal Ripken Jr. and Miguel Tejada — also played shortstop for Baltimore.
Henderson is also currently a finalist to be named as the starting shortstop for the American League All-Star team. You can vote for him on MLB’s website.
Will you be watching Henderson compete in the Home Run Derby? Let us know by tagging The Bama Buzz on Instagram, X, Facebook + LinkedIn.
