Robert Jr. makes statement with 484-foot blast in Derby debut

SEATTLE -- Luis Robert Jr. wasn’t sure about competing in the Home Run Derby. His impressive 2023 numbers made him an easy choice to contend, but he would need some convincing. The memories of going 0-fer in a derby in Cuba years ago still stood out to him. But after his close friends Randy Arozarena and Adolis García said yes to going yard on Monday night at T-Mobile Park, Robert agreed, too.

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“When they told me they were participating, I got a little inspired to make the decision to participate in the event as well,” Robert, 25, said before the contest. “It’s going to be special.”

If Robert hadn’t decided to give the competition another chance, the 2023 T-Mobile Home Run Derby would not have seen its six longest home runs of the evening.

Robert pummeled a total of 50 home runs, including a massive 484-foot shot, in his Derby debut, which culminated in a second-round exit to good pal Arozarena -- who fell short in the final round against champion Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

With 26 home runs in the first half of the season, Robert entered the contest as the No. 1 seed. He faced Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman in the first round, and won, 28-27, after Rutschman put on a switch-hitting spectacle.

“That’s a very special skill that he has … I think it was impressive,” said Robert.

Robert matched Rutschman’s total in regulation, and he needed only three swings in bonus time to move on to the next round. Robert averaged 426 feet, hitting seven home runs 440-plus feet. His longest dinger of the round traveled 470 feet.

“It was a good combination between my pitcher and myself,” he said. “Unfortunately, we didn’t have that same communication in the second round, but I think that was the key in the first round.”

In the second round, Arozarena set the stage with 35 home runs. While Robert finished with 22, the power with which he connected was dominant. Robert averaged 415 feet, including the 484-foot blast. His hardest hit ball soared at 113 mph, above his round average of 103.8 mph.

“Randy had a good combination, good chemistry with his pitcher,” said Robert. “That was something that unfortunately we lacked in the second round. I think, for him, that was the key for him, too.”

There’s no hard feelings between the close friends -- Arozarena eliminated García in the first round, too.

“Going against those three guys,” Arozarena said, “I’m a little bit skinnier than those guys. I tend to go against the grain. But it was a lot of fun being able to go up against them and compete against them.”

Robert will open the second half of the season with the second-most home runs in the American League and in a tie for third-most in all of baseball. Although he was reluctant at first to display his power in the spotlight among some of the game’s most powerful sluggers, he is glad he made the decision to step up to the plate Monday night.

“Before the event, I hesitated about my abilities to be in this competition, especially with the experience I had in Cuba that wasn’t a good one,” he said. “Definitely passing to the second round was the best moment of the night.”