HRDX is back in four new locations for 2024

By Michael Clair | May 21, 2024

If home runs, diving catches, and nonstop baseball action are your thing, then you're in luck: MLB's Home Run Derby X is returning to four new cities for 2024. The three-on-three home run derby has gone around the country and the world and will now stop at some of the Minor Leagues' most iconic locations. Here are the four stops for this year's tour:

HRDX is a twist on home run derbies you may have seen in the past. Here, teams compete in groups of three, with each team featuring a former Major League star, a women's baseball or softball player, and a yet-to-be-named local ballplayer.

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The action is a little different than a traditional Derby, too: Each batter gets 2 minutes, 30 seconds to crush as many home runs as possible. They can even earn bonus points by hitting a home run through the center-field target or by calling for a "hot streak," where points are doubled for the next five swings. Be careful, though: The defense can also earn points by making catches and robbing homers. And if they snag a ball during that hot streak? Yeah, the opposition gets those bonus points, too.

Each batter also gets a timeout and -- should they need it -- they can tag in a teammate to help finish the at-bat.

Just as with previous years, the events will be packed with some of the diamond's biggest stars. Red Sox legend Jonny Gomes and Yankees fan favorite Nick Swisher return, as do all-time NCAA home run leader Jocelyn Alo, two-time USA Baseball Sportswoman of the Year Award winner Alex Hugo, and Team USA baseball and FIU softball star Ashton Lansdell.

“After participating in Home Run Derby X last year, I can’t wait to get back on the stage and hit some bombs for the fans in these four great baseball cities,” Swisher said. “The energy and excitement at both events last year was amazing and I was so excited to hear MLB is adding additional stops this year. The fans are going to love it!”

In addition, 10-time Gold Glove Award winner Andruw Jones will make his first appearance at the event, as will former Mississippi State University softball star Mia Davidson-Smith. She finished her career third in NCAA history with an SEC-record 92 home runs.

“After seeing the video of last year’s events and hearing what a great time the players had last year, I was very excited to be asked to be part of Home Run Derby X this year,” said Jones. “The fans won’t want to miss this cool version of baseball, and I can’t wait to swing for the fences.”

Here's the full roster of players as of now, with more names expected to be announced soon.

MLB players (in alphabetical order by last name):

Jake Arrieta - Arrieta may have been known for his pitching in the big leagues -- collecting the Cy Young Award in 2015 before helping the Cubs win the World Series in 2016 -- but the former hurler could swing the bat, too. Arrieta hit six home runs in his big league career and made his HRDX debut last year.

Ian Desmond - An 11-year MLB veteran, Desmond was a two-time All-Star and won three Silver Slugger Awards for his work at the plate. A true all-around athlete, Desmond lined up at every position except catcher and third base during his big league career. He made his HRDX debut in Fredericksburg last year.

Dexter Fowler - A 14-year big league veteran and fan favorite, Fowler's career highlight may have been the 2016 season when he played for the Cubs. Not only did he earn election to the All-Star Game that year, but the outfielder also helped the Cubs end a 108-year World Series drought. Fowler made his HRDX debut at Trafalgar Square during the 2023 London Series.

Jonny Gomes - A beloved figure in clubhouses and by fanbases wherever he lined up, Gomes has been with HRDX since the very start in 2022. The 2013 World Series winner has showcased his endless desire to win, happily giving up his body in pursuit of the ball.

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Andruw Jones - A true five-tool talent, Jones made his big league debut with the Braves in 1996 when he was just 19 years old. He became a sensation after homering twice during the World Series that fall, eventually finishing his big league career with 434 home runs, 10 Gold Glove Awards and five All-Star Game appearances.

Nick Swisher - A beloved fan favorite no matter where he played, the always energetic Swisher lined up for five teams in a 12-year career. Swisher bashed 245 career home runs and helped the Yankees win the 2009 World Series. Swisher has been a captain with HRDX since 2022.

Women's Baseball and Softball stars:

Jocelyn Alo - The all-time NCAA leader in home runs (122) and slugging percentage (.987), the former University of Oklahoma slugger has also hit the longest home run in HRDX history. She also just finished a stint playing for the viral sensation Savannah Bananas.

Mia Davidson-Smith - A star at Mississippi State University, Davidson-Smith finished her career with 92 home runs -- third-best in NCAA history. Currently lining up with Athletes Unlimited, she's set to make her HRDX debut this year.

Paige Halstead - A standout catcher at UCLA, Halstead helped the team win the 2019 Women's College World Series. She also won the gold medal with USA Women's National Softball in 2017.

Alex Hugo - The only two-time USA Baseball Sportswoman of the Year Award winner, Hugo earned MVP honors at the Women's World Cup group stage in Thunder Bay, Ontario last summer. Before that, though, Hugo was a star softball player, hitting 71 home runs while playing for the University of Kansas and University of Georgia. Hugo has been participating in HRDX since 2022.

Ashton Lansdell - Lansdell returns to HRDX after spending the season starring for Florida International University's softball team. Before that, she was the first woman to play baseball at the National Junior College Athletic Association. A teammate of Hugo's with the United States Women's national baseball team, she'll be hoping to help bring home gold at the World Cup finals this summer.

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