MLB Home Run Derby 2019: TV Schedule, Bracket and New Format Breakdown

The Home Run Derby is ready to take center stage for Major League Baseball again on Monday, with eight of the league's most powerful hitters set to square off against each other in Cleveland. 

Finding eight legitimate power hitters was no trouble this season as MLB marches toward record home run numbers.

In May, MLB set a record for home runs in a month with 1,135. That record did not last long, either. In June, it was broken with 1,142.

There will also be a new Home Run Derby champion this year, too, as last year's winner, Bryce Harper, will not defend his title. The only player from last year's competition to compete again is Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman. 

There will be more money on the line, though. The Derby prize pool has increased from $775,000 to $2.5 million, with the winner taking home $1 million. 

2019 MLB Home Run Derby

When: Monday, July 8

Time: 8 p.m.

Where: Progressive Field, Cleveland

National TV: ESPN

Live Stream: WatchESPN, Hulu, Sling

Odds

Bracket Seeding

(1) Matt Chapman vs. (8) Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 

(4) Alex Bregman vs. (5) Joc Pederson

(2) Pete Alonso vs. (7) Carlos Santana

(3) Josh Bell vs. (6) Ronald Acuna Jr. 

Format

The Home Run Derby is a single-elimination bracket competition consisting of three rounds, with the winner of each bracket facing off in the final round.

In recent years, the format has changed instead from each hitter receiving 10 "outs" to having four minutes to hit as many homers as possible. If a player hits two home runs at least 440 feet, 30 seconds will be added to their time. 

Each player also has a 45-second timeout, and if they reach the final round, they will have two. 

If there is a tie after the final round, a 90-second swing-off will determine the winner. If still no winner is decided, each hitter will receive successive three-swing swing-offs until there is a winner.

Latest Buzz

Christian Yelich Drops Out

MLB's home run leader, Christian Yelich of the Milwaukee Brewers, was originally the top-seeded hitter in the tournament, but on Sunday, he withdrew due to a back injury.

Yelich, who has 31 homers, would have been competing in his first Derby. During preparation for the event, the cops called on him for breaking a boat window during batting practice at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. 

Replacing Yelich is Oakland A's slugger Matt Chapman, who will slide into the No. 1 seed. Chapman has 21 home runs, tied for sixth in the American League and three shy of his career high of 24 last season. This will be Chapman's first All-Star Game and Home Run Derby appearance. 

Pete Alonso Giving Back

Pete Alonso has been one of the breakout stars in the MLB this season, entering the All-Star break with 30 home runs—a Mets franchise record before the break and matching what Aaron Judge did in 2017 before he set the rookie home run record (52).

Judge also won the Derby that year, an indicator that Alonso could be the guy to do it this year. If so, he will make a lot more than only Mets fans happy. 

The Mets slugger plans to donate 5 percent of his earnings to two charities: the Wounded Warrior Foundation, which provides assistance to injured military veterans, and Tunnels to Towers, which helps military and first responders. 

Like Father, Like Son

Blue Jays rookie slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hopes to follow in his father's footsteps. Guerrero Sr. won the Derby in 2007 at AT&T Park in San Francisco.

Guerrero has just eight home runs in 60 games this season, but the 20-year-old was already garnering a reputation for the long ball in the minor leagues with some majestic blasts and looks poised to make a run at Progressive Field:

Guerrero has displayed some of that raw power already and could be a dangerous threat in this tournament, especially since he no longer has to go up against Yelich in the first round.