A new Home Run Derby champion will emerge this year as eight participants have been announced for Monday’s 8 p.m. ET event at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Last year’s champion, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., has opted out of the competition. However, past champion Pete Alonso of the New York Mets, who won in 2019 and 2021, is back to contend for his third title and tie Ken Griffey Jr.’s record. Besides Alonso, only Yoenis Cespedes and Prince Fielder have won multiple titles.
Alonso is the +300 favorite (risk $100 to win $300) in the latest odds for the 2024 MLB Home Run Derby. Braves designated hitter Marcell Ozuna follows closely at +380, while Orioles star Gunnar Henderson is next at +430. Other participants include Bobby Witt Jr. (+470), Adolis Garcia (+500), Teoscar Hernandez (+1100), Jose Ramirez (+1400), and Alec Bohm (+1600). For expert advice on picks, SportsLine’s Zack Cimini offers insights due to his expertise in MLB betting.
Cimini, a Las Vegas handicapper known for challenging conventional wisdom, is well-versed in multiple sports. As of the 2024 MLB season, his record stands at 690-604, yielding $3,327 for $100 bettors. In college basketball, he entered the 2024-25 season with a 514-444 record, returning $2,782 to $100 players. In the 2023-24 season, he went 91-69, earning $1,451. Regularly featured on CBS Sports HQ and “The Early Edge,” Cimini provides daily betting insights. His latest picks for the 2024 Home Run Derby are now available on SportsLine.
For Monday night’s event, Cimini advises against backing Pete Alonso, despite his 18 home runs this season. Alonso faces tough competition and hasn’t been consistently dominant in past Derbies. In 2019, he set a record with 35 home runs in the first round but hasn’t won any other round by more than one. Julio Rodriguez of Seattle beat Alonso in the 2022 semifinals by eight homers and in the first round of 2023 by 20.
Gunnar Henderson, 23, leads with 27 home runs this season, while veteran Marcell Ozuna, 33, has 26. Henderson’s 55 homers over the last two seasons have helped the Orioles contest for the top spot in the American League East. Jose Ramirez has 23 homers this season, and Teoscar Hernandez has 19.
With a strong field this year, Cimini believes Alonso may face challenges. “The Home Run Derby has a deep and perhaps the best talent pool in recent years,” Cimini told SportsLine. “This depth may reduce the value of betting on Pete Alonso, who last won three years ago.” The expert is looking for better value among top sluggers. For all of Cimini’s picks, visit SportsLine.
How to make 2024 Home Run Derby picks
Cimini has evaluated the 2024 Home Run Derby participants and has a confident pick for the winner. He believes this slugger will perform well in the early rounds and excel in the final. For Cimini’s full pick and analysis, visit SportsLine.
2024 MLB Home Run Derby odds and participants
Pete Alonso +300
Marcell Ozuna +380
Gunnar Henderson +430
Bobby Witt Jr. +470
Adolis Garcia +500
Teoscar Hernandez +1100
Jose Ramirez +1400
Alec Bohm +1600