Phillies All-Star Set For A Major Record In MLB Announcement

First time All-Star Alec Bohm has entered the Home Run Derby.
Alec Bohm, third baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies, has accomplished yet another “first”. After discovering on Wednesday that he would represent the Phillies as the National League’s starting third baseman at this year’s MLB All-Star Game, it was announced on Friday that he will also compete in the home run derby.

He is the second name confirmed for the famous event. Gunnar Henderson, the Baltimore Orioles’ 2023 AL Rookie of the Year and 2024 MVP prospect, was the first to announce his entry.

Phillies All-Star ready to ‘Ring the Bell’ in MLB Home Run Derby

Bohm has enjoyed a stellar season in the hot corner for MLB’s finest squad. Let’s be honest: he’s a key reason why the Phillies are 57-30 more than halfway through the season. What about a home run hitter? He is unlikely to be the first name that comes to mind.

The fifth-year player has put up some outstanding stats thus far, batting.296/.347/.488 and putting in an NL-leading 70 RBIs. He’s hit 11 home runs in 85 games, which doesn’t exactly scream “home run slugger.”

But that’s okay since Bohm hits the ball hard. Line drives won’t win you any Derby trophies, so the MLB’s leading doubles hitter will just have to change his strategy for one night at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

This season, his hardest hit ball has been 110.8 mph. He has increased his barrel rate (the ideal combination of exit velocity and launch angle) to 8.8 percent this year from 5.7 percent the previous year. His longest home run was 427 feet and came against the Marlins last week.

According to the MLB communications department, Bohm will be the seventh different Phillies player to compete in the Home Run Derby, and the team’s eighth overall appearance. He will compete in the Phillies Home Run Derby alongside Jim Thome (2004), Bobby Abreu (2005), Ryan Howard (2006, 2007, 2009), Chase Utley (2008), Rhys Hoskins (2018), and his current colleague Kyle Schwarber (2022). The only Phillies to win the Derby previously were Abreu in 2005 and Howard in 2006.

The 2024 Home Run Derby will take held on July 15 at 8:00 p.m. ET on ESPN.