Skip to main content
Join Now

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hits Home Run Derby outfielder in head with line drive

Nikki Chavanelleby: Nikki Chavanelle07/11/23NikkiChavanelle

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. turned the 2023 MLB Home Run Derby into a liability nightmare on Monday after beaming one of the outfield catchers in the head with one of his bomb attempts. With the pitches coming out so quickly, the Toronto Blue Jays first baseman couldn’t even stop swinging to make sure the recipient of his ding was okay.

Dodgers writer Blake Harris reported that the line drive was hit at 115.8 mph. One fan at the Derby reported live from the park that he saw the child get treated with an ice pack.

“Kid is all treated with an ice pack,” @RealTomBentley shared on Twitter. “Crowd cheered for him.”

Despite the unfortunate incident, Guerrero Jr. won the event at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. He won by defeating Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena in the Finals.

He held on to win after hitting 25 home runs in the Finals, while Arozarena came up one short of a tie, hitting 24.

Guerrero wows in Home Run Derby

With the win, Guerrero Jr. and his father, National Baseball Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero, become the first father-son duo to win the Home Run Derby. The elder Guerrero claimed victory in the 2007 Home Run Derby at AT&T Park in San Francisco.

“PROUD and LOVE FOR MY SON Congratulation Vlad Jr!” Guerrero tweeted.

Guerrero Jr. appeared in his first Home Run Derby since 2019 when he mashed a record 91 home runs. He defeated Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts, 26-11, in Round 1.

In Round 2, he took down the fan-favorite in Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez. Rodríguez set the overall round record with 41 home runs in Round 1. He struggled to keep the same pace in Round 2, hitting 20 while Guerrero Jr. topped him with 21.

After accepting the trophy, the first baseman couldn’t hide his exhaustion.

“Honestly, I feel tired,” Guerrero said. “But I feel happy.”

The 24-year-old is an All-Star for the third-straight season after a productive first half with the Blue Jays. Guerrero Jr. is slashing .274/.344/.443 with 13 home runs and 58 RBIs in 343 at-bats. The Blue Jays are currently 50-41 and in third place in the AL East.