Amid a dream start to his first season with the Dodgers, outfielder Teoscar Hernández had another wish granted.
The veteran slugger announced he will participate in next week’s Home Run Derby, during an in-game interview with ESPN on Wednesday night.
“I’m so happy, so excited,” a mic’d up Hernández said during the third inning of the Dodgers game against the Philadelphia Phillies. “Since I’ve been in the big leagues, I’ve always wanted to participate.”
After being named an All-Star for the second time in his career last week, Hernández immediately voiced his interest in partaking in the Derby, which will take place Monday night at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.
Hernández’s play this season warranted a selection, with his 19 home runs tied for 12th most in the majors.
His importance to a first-place Dodgers squad had only grown in recent weeks, too, with Hernández’s 60 RBIs trailing only Shohei Ohtani for the team lead.
Hernández’s inclusion marks the second straight year the Dodgers have had a Derby participant. Last year, Mookie Betts bowed out in the event’s first round with a Derby-low 11 home runs.
The Dodgers have never had a player win the event in its 39-year history.
Hernández said Dodgers third base coach Dino Ebel will pitch to him in the event. It will mark Ebel’s fourth time doing so, having previously pitched to Pederson in 2019, Albert Pujols in 2015 and Vladimir Guerrero Sr. when he won in 2007.
“He’s been in there,” Hernández said. “He knows how to do it.”
Hernández also said he would do a Derby trial run on Saturday, when the Dodgers will be in Detroit.
“I think it’s gonna be exciting year,” Hernández said, noting rule changes that replaced the event’s knockout bracket with an opening round group stage. “It’s gonna be a good one.”
