Youngest Home Run Derby winners: Jua atlanta braves jersey mens medium n Soto eliminates distractions, Julio Rodriguez to make MLB history
July 19, 2022
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It was a Home Run Derby final of the rookie vs. the veteran. And the veteran came out on top.
That veteran was a mere 23 years old, however.
It's hard to believe the Nationals star Juan Soto was the vet in this scenario, as he was making his second Home Run Derby appearance after falling in the semifinals a year ago to eventual champion Pete Alonso. Soto, already in his fifth season of Major League Baseball, was facing Mariners 21-year-old rookie Julio Rodriguez, who had stunned the wMLB Autographed Memorabiliaorld with 63 home runs through the first two rounds, which included eliminating the reigning back-to-back champion Alonso.
Rodriguez hit 18 home runs to start off the finals, and after a slow start, Soto began atlanta braves jersey toddler to put it together. It was 45 seconds into his round before Soto tallied his first homer, but he poured it on late, and walked off Rodriguez with his 19th in his bonus time.
Soto's win came in t atlanta braves jersey woman he midst of a complicated period for him, as he recently turned down a massive extension from the Nationals and finds himself the rumor of unprecedJuan Soto ented trade rumors.
MORE: Home Run Derby updates, highlights
The matchup was the youngest Home Run Derby final in the history of the event. But juMatt Olson Braves Jerseys st where does Soto rank among the youngest winners? The Sporting News breaks it down.
Youngest Home Run Derby champions
Soto could not have been much closer to setting the record for the youngest player ever to win the Home Run Derby. Alas, he is second to Juan Gonzalez, the 1993 champion.
The difference? One day.
Here's a look at the youngest Home Run Derby champions:
| Year | Batter | Age |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Juan Gonzalez | 23 years, 8 months, 23 days |
| 2022 | Juan Soto | 23 years, 8 months, 24 days |
| 1986 | Darryl Strawberry | 24 years, 0 months, 28 dayPandora| Columbias |
| 1986 | Wally Joyner | 24 years, 4 months, 2 days |
| 2019 | Pete Alonso | 24 years, 7 months, 1 day |
| 1994 | Ken Griffey Jr. | 24 years, 7 months, 20 days |
| 2009 | Prince Fielder | 25 years, 2 months, 4 days |
| 2017 | Aaron Judge | 25 years, 2 months, 14 days |
| 2018 | Bryce Harper | 25 years, 9 months, 0 days |
| 2021 | Pete Alonso | 26 years, 7 months, 5 days |
Had Rodriguez won, he would have be atlanta braves jersey 5t en the youngest at 21 years, 6 months and 20 days. He also would have been the first Home Run Derby champion born in the year 2000 or later.
MORE: Julio Rodríguez shows in Home Run Derby why he's a future face of baseball
Back in 2010, David Ortiz became the oldest player to win the Home Run Derby, when at 34 years, 7 months and 24 days, he hoisted the trophy.
Juan Soto trade rumors
Soto's win on Monday came while he is likely faced with plenty of off-field distractions.
Soto turned down a 15-year, $440 m atlanta braves jersey swanson illion deal that would have been the richest contract in MLB history, prompting the Nationals to begin entertaining trade offers for the young superstar. atlanta braves store near me
Teams that potentially have the prospect capital to make a move for him include the Mets, Yankees, Cardinals and Padres.
MORE: Home Run Derby records
Before the Home Run Derby, Soto expressed how this situation has made him feel uncomfortable heading into the All-Star break.
"I don't know, I haven't talked to anybody to tell me how that changed or what was the mindset but … a couple weeks ago they were saying they would never trade me and now, all these things have came out," Soto said. "It feels really uncomfortable. You don't know what to trust. But at the end of the day, it's out of my hands of what decision they make."
For now, Soto made it clear.
“I’m a champion with the Nationals.”