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After competing last year alongside his compatriots Randy Arozarena and Luis Robert Jr., the Cuban Adolis García from the Texas Rangers, will return this Monday to the Major League Home Run Derby with the advantage of playing at home in the quest to win the grand prize: one million dollars.
At Globe Life Field in Arlington, "El Bombi" will have as rivals the Dominicans José Ramírez (Cleveland Guardians), Marcell Ozuna (Atlanta Braves), and Teoscar Hernández (Los Angeles Dodgers), as well as the Americans Pete Alonso (New York Mets), Alec Bohm (Philadelphia Phillies), Bobby Witt Jr. (Kansas City Royals), and Gunnar Henderson (Baltimore Orioles).
However, the one born in the province of Ciego de Ávila has a disadvantage, as according to what was published on the social network Facebook by the specialized journalist Francys Romero, only Yoenis Céspedes (2013, 2014) has won in these duels between the players born in the largest of the Antilles.
However, according to MLB.com, García could become the fourth host slugger to win the event, and the first since Bryce Harper for the Washington Nationals in 2018. Hence the anticipation, also because he comes with previous experience, which was highlighted on Instagram by Swing Completo.
Although Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is not competing this year to defend his crown, the competition will feature another son of a former Major League player, Bobby Witt Jr., while Alonso will seek his third reign in this type of competition, as he achieved it in 2019 and 2021.
For this year, the program has some changes. Now, the first round will not have predetermined positions, and will consist of the eight batters competing all together, with the top four advancing to the semifinals.
At that point, the format will change to one versus four and two against three, but those positions will be determined solely by the number of home runs each player hits in the initial round, without taking into account regular season performance.
MLB.com also explains that the first round and semifinals will end when three minutes have elapsed, or when 40 pitches have been reached, whichever comes first (excluding the bonus period, which will be explained below).
Similarly, the final will conclude when two minutes have elapsed, or when 27 pitches have been reached, whichever comes first, excluding the bonus period.
In 2023, it was the first time that three baseball players of Cuban origin participated in this event - which started in 1985.
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