Soto Shines in Home Run Derby
07/19/2022
By: Jeff Yoder
Nationals’ Juan Soto Beats Julio Rodriguez in Epic Home Run Derby Showdown
The MLB Home Run Derby brought some of the game’s biggest long-ball hitters to the dish on Monday night in Los Angeles to kickoff All-Star week, and the show didn’t disappoint. A pair of young stars from the Dominican Republic reached the finals before Nationals star Juan Soto (19 HRs) bested Mariners rookie Julio Rodriguez (18 HRs) in a down-to-the-wire battle. It was Rodriguez who took down two-time defending champion Pete Alonso. But by night’s end, an all-Dominican Republic battle saw Soto start slow before crushing his 19th blast to send the crowd into a frenzy.
Juan Soto’s HR Derby
Longest HR: 471 Feet
Hardest HR: 111 MPH
Avg. HR Distance: 428 Feet
Avg. HR Exit Velocity: 106.8
Fun Fact: At 23 years, 266 days old, Soto was one away from tying Juan Gonzalez for the youngest winner in Derby history.
Watch: Juan Soto Wins 2022 Home Run Derby
Additional Storylines
Yahoo! Sports: Juan Soto Tops Julio Rodriguez in HR Derby to Continue Dramatic Week
ESPN: Takeaways & Favorite Moments From Home Run Derby at Dodger Stadium
Photo: Daniel Shirey / Getty Images