As MLB players take part in the 2023 MLB Home Run Derby, check out the prize money breakdown, including the prize money for the winner and the runner-up, and more
Each year, the MLB ends the highly regarded All-Star week with an intense game between the league’s biggest stars.
MLB Home Run Derby winner prize money, runner-up prize, and winners full list
Get ready for a bunch of BIG FLIES because the Home Run Derby bracket is set 🍿
📺 July 10, 8 ET on ESPN and ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/1AYm1dpmf2
— ESPN (@espn) July 6, 2023
The 2023 Home Run Derby bracket is set. 🤩
Who is going to be the champion?! 👑 pic.twitter.com/1DraFKCqld
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 6, 2023
7/10/2006 In his first Home Run Derby, David Wright slugs 22 home runs and reaches the finals. pic.twitter.com/fByziA2IK9
— This Day in Mets History (@NYMhistory) July 10, 2023
Despite the big final game at the end of All-Star week, the Home Run Derby has become more of a signature event to the MLB All-Star week.
MLB 2023 Home Run Derby
The MLB Home Run Derby is like batting practice in front of a full house. The event features large crowds of fans gathering to see which players can hit the furthest home runs. While some player may agree to do it for free, some players particularly the lesser-paid players who get to take part in the Home Run Derby certainly look forward to the prize money that they can win from the event. The competition offers a stage for players to test their hitting abilities while fans get to feast their eyes.
MLB 2023 Home Run Derby prize money breakdown
The MLB sets aside a huge amount of around $2.5 million for the Home Run Derby participants. While the winner gets a prize money of around $1 million, the runner-up wins a prize of $750,000. Meanwhile, the other six competitors evenly split the remaining amount amongst themselves.
Back in the 2022 edition, Mariners’ star Julio Rodriguez finished as the runner-up to Juan Soto. Rodriguez managed to win around $50,000 more than his salary for the entire 2022 season. Similarly, Derby star Pete Alonso, who won the 2019 and 2021 editions, won prize money checks, which were worth more than his entire earnings from playing 162 games for the Mets.
The money also adds a certain level of seriousness to the fun event, particularly for players on the lower end of the salary spectrum. It serves as an extra incentive and a chance to build their fortunes aside from their primary salaries.
Home Run Derby winners
2022 – Juan Soto, Nationals at Dodger Stadium
2021 – Pete Alonso, Mets at Coors Field
2020 – No Derby due to COVID-19 pandemic
2019 – Pete Alonso, Mets at Progressive Field
2018 – Bryce Harper, Nationals at Nationals Park
2017 – Aaron Judge, Yankees at Marlins Park
2016 – Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins at Petco Park
2015 – Todd Frazier, Reds at Great American Ball Park
2014 – Yoenis Cespedes, Athletics at Target Field
2013 – Yoenis Cespedes, Athletics at Citi Field
2012 – Prince Fielder, Tigers at Kauffman Stadium
2011 – Robinson Cano, Yankees at Chase Field
2010 – David Ortiz, Red Sox at Angel Stadium
2009 – Prince Fielder, Brewers at Busch Stadium
2008 – Justin Morneau, Twins at Yankee Stadium
2007 – Vladimir Guerrero, Angels at AT&T Park
2006 – Ryan Howard, Phillies at PNC Park
2005 – Bobby Abreu, Phillies at Comerica Park
2004 – Miguel Tejada, Orioles at Minute Maid Park
2003 – Garret Anderson, Angels at U.S. Cellular Field
2002 – Jason Giambi, Yankees at Miller Park
2001 – Luis Gonzalez, D-backs at Safeco Field
2000 – Sammy Sosa, Cubs at Turner Field
1999 – Ken Griffey Jr., Mariners at Fenway Park
1998 – Ken Griffey Jr., Mariners at Coors Field
1997 – Tino Martinez, Yankees at Jacobs Field
1996 – Barry Bonds, Giants at Veterans Stadium
1995 – Frank Thomas, White Sox at The Ballpark in Arlington
1994 – Ken Griffey Jr., Mariners at Three Rivers Stadium
1993 – Juan Gonzalez, Rangers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards
1992 – Mark McGwire, Athletics at Jack Murphy Stadium
1991 – Cal Ripken Jr., Orioles at SkyDome
1990 – Ryne Sandberg, Cubs at Wrigley Field
1989 – Ruben Sierra, Rangers and Eric Davis, Reds at Anaheim Stadium
1988 – No Derby due to rain cancellation
1987 – Andre Dawson, Cubs at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
1986 – Wally Joyner, Angels and Darryl Strawberry, Mets at Astrodome
1985 – Dave Parker, Reds at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome