Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez did his thing in front of the home crowd in the Pacific Northwest Monday evening, absolutely dominating in the first round of the 2023 MLB Home Run Derby.
Taking on multi-time champion Pete Alonso, Rodriguez broke the record for the most home runs in a single round of a home run derby. The dude knocked 41 out of the park inside T-Mobile Park. It was absolutely insane what he did.
At 22 years old, Julio Rodriguez is looking to become the youngest player to win the MLB Home Run Derby in the history of the event. He also knocked Alonso out of the event for the second consecutive year.
For Rodriguez, this dominating display comes after a down first half of the season for the Seattle Mariners.
Julio Rodriguez stats (2023): .249 average, 13 HR, 49 RBI .721 OPS
This comes after a rookie season in which Rodriguez belted 25 homers with 75 RBI while boasting an .853 OPS en route to winning American Leage Rookie of the Year honors.
It will be interesting to see if what transpired Monday will help him heat up following the All-Star break.