Juan Soto defeated Julio Rodríguez 19-18 in the final to win the 2022 Home Run Derby at Dodger Stadium on Monday night. The Nationals outfielder joins Bryce Harper as the only players in Washington’s franchise history to win the Derby.
Soto, 23, beat José Ramírez and defeated 11-time All-Star Albert Pujols en route to the final. He is the second youngest Home Run Derby champion ever, only behind Juan González.
“I’m a lone survivor,” said Soto when asked about facing contract and trade questions and winning the Derby. “I have gone through all this stuff and I’m still standing here with my chin up all the time. And that shows you I can go through anything.”
Rodríguez advanced to the final, dethroning the two-time defending Home Run Derby champion Pete Alonso 31-23. The Mariners outfielder is the first man ever with back-to-back Derby rounds of 30-plus home runs.
Soto defeated Pujols 16-15 in the semifinal. Pujols, who played in his fifth and final Derby, advanced to the semifinal after knocking off Kyle Schwarber in a tiebreaker during the first round.
For more on the Home Run Derby, check out The Athletic’s live blog here.
Participants and results
First Round:
Julio Rodríguez 32, Corey Seager 24
Pete Alonso 20, Ronald Acuña Jr. 19
Juan Soto 18, José Ramírez 17
Albert Pujols 20, Kyle Schwarber 19 (Pujols advances after one tiebreaker round)
Semifinals:
Rodríguez 31, Alonso 23
Soto 16, Pujols 15
Final:
Soto 19, Rodríguez 18
(Photo: Gary Vasquez / USA Today)