Alec Bohm Surprises Everyone With Great HR Derby Performance
No one expected Alec Bohm to do much at the HR Derby. As statistically the worst power hitter of the bunch, it was a surprise that the Phillies’ 3rd baseman was even included in the night. Little did we know he was ready to put on a show.
Bohm did not win, or even make it to the finals, but he was one of the best parts of the night, getting to the Semi-Finals, and forcing the eventual champion Teoscar Hernandez into a swing-off.
Alec Bohm Kicks The HR Derby Off In Style
![ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JULY 15: Alec Bohm #28 of the Philadelphia Philllies bats during the T-Mobile Home Run Derby at Globe Life Field on July 15, 2024 in Arlington, Texas.](https://975thefanatic.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2024/07/GettyImages-2162186432_1721142997_.jpg?w=1024)
As the guy with the fewest home runs, 11, Bohm was tasked with leading off the HR Derby. He did so with a bang, putting up a number none of the next 7 guys would beat. He hit 21 in the first round, more than he has ever hit in a single season. Only Jose Ramirez matched him. Everyone else hit 20 or fewer long balls.
It sent him to the second round, where he had to face off with Teoscar Hernadez. Hernandez went 1st, having hit fewer HRs in the 1st round, he set the bar at 14.
Bohm got off to a slow start, hitting only 3 before he took his timeout with 1:41 left on the clock. With some encouragement from his teammates, including Bryce Harper and Trea Turner, and a quick drink of “wooder” Bohm was ready to turn things around. (Side note, Spell Check tried to correct “wooder” to “more wood.)
8 of his next 13 swings left the yard. He eventually matched Hernandez’s 14, to force a swing off. That was where the night ended for Alec Bohm. Hernandez went deep with 2 of his 3 swings, and Bohm got just 1. But he had already accomplished way more than anyone thought he would. Something he alluded to himself when he became the 1st person to advance to the 2nd round.
Bohm hit a total of 36 HRs. 7 of those went more than 425 feet. He ditched his usual approach of using the entire field and just tried to pull everything. The approach worked.
Alec Bohm is in the midst of a career year. He may only have 11 HRs, but he leads the league with 33 doubles, is tied for 4th with 70 RBIs, and boasts a slash line of .295/.348/.482/.830. His power numbers are on the low end, but he let us know on HR Derby night that it is not because of a lack of strength. When he is pulling the ball, Bohm can hit balls a long way.
He seemingly chooses to sacrifice a bit of power for better contact. But with how he is playing this season, can you blame him? Why mess with what is working? But now we know if he ever does need to add more pop to his game, he probably can.