Phillies’ Alec Bohm shocks doubters with eye-opening Home Run Derby performance

When Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm announced that he was entering the Home Run Derby this year, he said he wanted to participate because it was always the cool thing to watch as a kid and he didn’t know if he’d ever get another opportunity. Well, he got his opportunity and made the most of it. 

The first-time All-Star and starting NL third baseman put on a show in Monday’s Home Run Derby — and more of a show than most expected.

Phillies’ Alec Bohm shocks doubters with eye-opening Home Run Derby performance

With only 11 home runs on the season, Bohm had the lowest total of the eight derby contestants, sending him up to the plate first in the first round. Considered the underdog heading into the always popular contest, Bohm not only held his own but opened some eyes putting up 21 home runs in the first round.

He launched 20 in the initial three minutes and then added an extra long ball in the bonus round.

According to MLB.com’s Christina De Nicola, Bohm’s longest home run traveled 445 feet. He had an average distance of 407 feet and mashed six homers over 425 feet. His hardest hit had a 105 mph exit velocity.

After doing what he could, Bohm sat back, relaxed, and surprisingly, remained the clubhouse leader through the first round. 

“Feeling good, who woulda thought,” Bohm said on the broadcast after officially making it into the semifinals. 

So how did he do it?

“Swing at everything and pull it,” Bohm said of his approach.

Alec Bohm bows out after dramatic semifinal

The Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr., the Cleveland Guardians' José Ramírez and the Los Angeles Dodgers' Teoscar Hernandez joined Bohm in the second round.

After Witt advanced to the finals over Ramírez in the first semifinal, Bohm matched Hernandez’s 14 homers in the second semifinal. The upstart Phillie had the finals in his sights but pulled his last ball barely foul to force a three-swing “swing-off.”

Unfortunately, Bohm hit only one home run out of three swings while the Dodgers outfielder hit two, ending Bohm’s night.

Regardless of the final result, it was a phenomenal showing from Bohm who finished with 36 home runs after not being given a chance by most observers going into Monday.