2023 Home Run Derby: Vlad Guerrero Jr. joins Julio Rodríguez in competition

Major League Baseball

Updated Jun. 29, 2023 4:15 p.m. ET

The 2023 Home Run Derby is already shaping up to be one for the books!

Toronto Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. threw his hat in the ring on June 29, announcing that he’ll be taking part in this year’s iconic competition, becoming the second-known official participant of the event.

Seattle Mariners star outfielder and 2022 American League Rookie of the Year Julio Rodríguez was the first to confirm on June 23 that he will be participating in this year’s event, which is set to take place on July 10 at T-Mobile Park — his home ballpark. Rodríguez, more affectionately known as “J-Rod,” is the reigning runner-up, having narrowly lost to three-time Silver Slugger Award winner, two-time All-Star and World Series champion outfielder Juan Soto in Los Angeles in 2022.

Baseball fans can expect fireworks in Seattle, which is hosting the event for the first time since 2001.

The slugfest will precede the highly anticipated MLB All-Star Game (July 11 at 8 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app), which is currently in the process of forming its roster. You can find an up-to-date list of finalists here.

There could be more big names taking part in the action.

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts said recently that he will participate if he’s selected to the All-Star Game.

“As long as I’m an All-Star,” Betts said. “I gotta be an All-Star first, and then [I will] do it.”

Los Angeles Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani also hasn’t ruled out participating in the event, either. He told reporters that his participation in the event will come down to his pitching schedule.

“I don’t know when my next [pitching] start is, and it really kind of depends on that,” Ohtani said through his interpreter recently. “I haven’t thought that far ahead yet.”

The two-way Japanese superstar leads the majors with 28 home runs, including 13 in June. Ohtani participated in the 2021 Home Run Derby in Denver, losing to Soto 31-28 in the second swing-off in the first round. He didn’t take part in last year’s event.

Check back for updates!

Read more: