Teoscar Hernández Shocks Fans Won’t Defend Home Run Derby Title Without All-Star Spot

Reigning Home Run Derby champion Teoscar Hernández faces a tough decision ahead of the 2025 MLB All-Star break. While the Los Angeles Dodgers slugger is eligible to defend his title, he’s made it clear: if he’s not an All-Star, he’s not going to Atlanta.

During an appearance on Foul Territory, Hernández addressed the situation:

“Right now, at the moment, I don’t think I’m gonna go,” Hernández said. “But I don’t know if I’ll change my mind. If I’m going to do it, I want to be in the All-Star Game. I don’t want to go just for the Derby. If I’m going, I have to be in the All-Star Game.”

Skipping the Derby Without an All-Star Spot

While some players have competed in the Home Run Derby without being selected as All-Stars, Hernández isn’t interested in making the trip just for the spectacle. Adolis García participated in the 2024 Derby despite missing out on an All-Star nod, but as a Texas Rangers player, he had the advantage of competing at Globe Life Field, the host stadium.

For Hernández, the logistics are more complicated. The 2025 MLB All-Star festivities will take place at Truist Park in Atlanta, while the Dodgers will be finishing their first-half schedule on the road in San Francisco. That means a cross-country flight, just to compete in an exhausting event without the honor of an All-Star selection.

The Home Run Derby’s Physical Toll

Aside from the long-distance travel, the Home Run Derby itself is a brutal endurance test. Unlike regular batting practice, the Derby’s time-based format forces participants to take rapid-fire swings, leaving them drained by the end.

This physical toll is one reason why many past winners have opted out of future competitions:

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. won in 2023 but skipped in 2024 despite being an All-Star.
Juan Soto, the 2022 champion, declined to participate in 2023.
Pete Alonso, a two-time winner (2019, 2021), has struggled to maintain dominance, losing in the second round in 2022.

Elite Company: Can Hernández Join the Back-to-Back Club?

Only three players in MLB history have successfully defended their Home Run Derby titles:

Ken Griffey Jr. (1998-99)
Yoenis Céspedes (2013-14)
Pete Alonso (2019, 2021)

Prince Fielder (2009, 2012) is the only other player with multiple wins. If Hernández were to return and defend his crown, he’d be joining an exclusive club of back-to-back champions.

Hernández’s Dominance in 2024

At 32 years old, Hernández proved he’s still an elite power hitter. In his first season with the Dodgers, he slashed.272/.339/.501 with 33 home runs, earning his second career All-Star selection. The Dodgers rewarded him with a three-year, $66 million contract, solidifying his place in L.A.’s powerhouse lineup.