Washington’s Juan Soto defeated Seattle’s Julio Rodriguez 19-18 in the final to capture the Home Run Derby title at Dodger Stadium.
Soto, who was competing in the Derby for the second time, had nine homers in the final minute of regulation in the two-minute final. He added four more in bonus time, his clinching blast coming with 19 seconds remaining. He threw his bat way in the air after the deciding shot cleared the fence.
THREE ROUNDS
THREE WALK-OFFS
JUAN. SOTO.@JuanSoto25_ // #NATITUDE pic.twitter.com/4YUJvDAfmB
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) July 19, 2022
The 23-year-old Soto hit 53 total homers, beating each of his three opponents by one homer while hitting second each time in the midseason power showcase. Soto was locked in at the plate even after spending an hour earlier at Chavez Ravine answering repeated questions about his possible departure from the Nats after turning down a reported $440 million offer.
Soto earns a $1 million prize and another highlight on his resume as his time with Washington possibly nears an end. The Athletic reported over the weekend that Soto turned down a $440 million, 15-year contract to stay with the Nationals, and he could be traded by the end of the month.
“Right now, I’m not even thinking about it,” Soto told ESPN while hoisting the trophy over his head. “I’m a champion, and I will be a champion for the Nationals.”
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Soto, the fourth seed, is the second Nationals player to win the Derby. Bryce Harper won it in 2018 in Washington.
WTOP’s Rob Woodfork contributed to this report.
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