Julio Rodriguez set the pace at the Home Run Derby last night at Dodger Stadium.
The Seattle Mariners rookie busted out with 32 home runs in the first round, beating Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager.
He then took down the two-time defending Home Run Derby champion in Pete Alonso in the second round.
And he was so close to being able to take the crown home for himself, that is, until Juan Soto beat him and won it himself.
Still, it was a cool experience for baseball fans to get to see Rodriguez on the big stage for the first time.
After the Derby, Rodriguez thanked MLB for the opportunity to compete.
What a blast at the #derby ! I appreciate the opportunity @MLB 🤞🏽 I hope you guys enjoyed!🙋🏽♂️🇩🇴🔥
— Julio Rodriguez🇩🇴🦁 (@JRODshow44) July 19, 2022
The J-Rod Experience
It’s clear Rodriguez had a lot of fun at the Derby.
This was sort of a coming out party for him.
It’s not that people didn’t already know how special of a hitter he truly was, it was just that this was really his first time on the big stage.
He sure didn’t disappoint.
He went out there and put on one heck of a performance in his Home Run Derby debut.
But it’s nice to see that he had such a great time.
That’s the whole point of the Derby.
Seeing him go off like that was a cool experience for baseball fans in all walks of life.
This may have been the very first time some had ever seen him go off like that, or even seen him in person.
Playing in Seattle means that you’re on the West Coast and games will be late at night.
But other fans outside of Seattle finally got a taste of what this young man is made of and what the future has in store for him.
NEXT: Julio Rodriguez Earned Himself A Nice Payday On Monday