Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge Skipping the Home Run Derby? Time for MLB to Rethink the Rules
Let’s be real — what’s a Home Run Derby without Shohei Ohtani or Aaron Judge?
That’s the awkward question Major League Baseball is facing as it gears up for its annual Home Run Derby on Monday night. Two of the biggest names in baseball, Ohtani and Judge, won’t be stepping into the batter’s box. And fans are rightfully asking, what’s even the point?
Wait… No Ohtani, No Judge?
Yeah, you heard that right. The biggest stars in the sport — the names that actually move the needle — are sitting this one out. For Ohtani, it’s a matter of wear and tear. He’s been pretty vocal about how physically demanding the event is. Judge, on the other hand, seems to only be interested if the Derby comes to his backyard — literally. He’s only entertaining the idea if it’s held at Yankee Stadium.
That’s a tough blow for the league.
This should be MLB’s moment to shine — prime time TV, an electrified crowd, and a spotlight event that could attract fans beyond the usual baseball diehards. But when the game’s two most recognizable faces decide it’s not worth their time or effort, something’s broken.
📌 Key Takeaway: MLB has the stars. It just doesn’t know how to use them.
The current Derby format is high-octane, yes, but it's also borderline brutal. Ohtani, who gave it a shot in 2021, has already explained why he’s hesitant to go through it again. In a candid moment after his loss to Juan Soto that year, he admitted, “It was more tiring than the regular season.”
Let that sink in. The guy played almost every day and still found the Derby more exhausting.
Even though he finished that season with an MVP award, the second half of his year didn’t quite match the first. Pre-All-Star break, he was tearing it up — .279 batting average, 33 homers, 70 RBIs in 84 games. Post-break? A noticeable dip: .229 average, 13 homers, 71 RBIs over 71 games.
It’s not rocket science. The Derby took something out of him.
⭐ Let the Stars Make the Rules?
Here’s a wild idea that just might work — what if the league let the players shape the event?
Imagine this: Shohei Ohtani gets to call some of the shots. Not just when he hits, but how he hits. He floated the idea at All-Star media day: maybe there should be limits on the number of pitches or swings. Or maybe there should be more focus on flight distance than volume.
Honestly, that sounds pretty cool.
Would that sway Judge? Probably not. But Ohtani? There’s a chance. And if there’s any shot to get him in there, MLB should be bending over backward to make it happen.
If that means reducing the number of swings to protect the guys’ bodies — do it. If it means tweaking the pitch clock or letting players request a certain kind of ball — why not?
Heck, if Ohtani wants to hit soccer balls into the outfield stands for 10 minutes… let him.
Because at the end of the day, the Derby doesn’t have a sacred format. It’s not the Super Bowl or the NBA Finals. It’s a TV spectacle, a one-night entertainment show. So, if adjusting the format helps get fans and superstars excited again — isn’t that a win?
📉 Declining Viewership Isn’t a Coincidence
Once upon a time, the Home Run Derby was a must-watch event. The early 2000s? Peak viewership. Five of the most-watched Derbies came from that era. But over the past decade? The magic's been fading. The last big spike came in 2017 — when Aaron Judge lit it up as a rookie.
And guess what? He hasn’t returned since.
There’s a reason for that. The Derby doesn’t define stars anymore. It relies on them.
Meet This Year’s Derby Lineup… If You Can
Let’s talk about who’s actually in this year’s competition. There are some talented bats, no doubt, but if we’re being honest, the average casual fan probably hasn’t heard of half of them.
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Cal Raleigh (Seattle Mariners) – Currently leads the majors in home runs. Pretty impressive, but still flies under the radar nationally.
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Matt Olson (Atlanta Braves) – A power hitter for sure, but not exactly a household name.
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James Wood (Washington Nationals) – A fresh face with plenty of upside.
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Junior Caminero (Tampa Bay Rays) – Great prospect, but not a prime-time star yet.
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Jazz Chisholm Jr. (New York Yankees) – Has flash, but lacks broad recognition.
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Byron Buxton (Minnesota Twins) – Talented but injury-plagued.
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Oneil Cruz (Pittsburgh Pirates) – Fun to watch, still emerging.
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Brent Rooker (Wandering Athletics) – Solid slugger, obscure market.
Notice anything missing? Star power.
🔥 What If Ohtani DID Show Up?
Now imagine Ohtani joins the field.
Just his presence alone would elevate every single player mentioned above. Fans tuning in for Shohei would suddenly get to see guys like Caminero and Rooker doing their thing on a national stage. It’s free marketing for the league and its young talent. And it’s a rare chance for these guys to have a real moment.
That’s the power of superstardom.
Baseball’s Culture Problem
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: Baseball is wildly profitable, but it’s struggling to stay culturally relevant in the U.S. The NFL owns Sundays. The NBA owns highlights and social media. Baseball? Still largely regional, still slow to adapt.
Aside from Ohtani and Judge, who else in the MLB is known outside of baseball fans? Who’s moving sneaker deals, getting endorsement spots, or trending on TikTok?
If MLB wants to stay in the game, it has to start acting like it wants to win.
That means marketing its stars. That means rethinking traditions. And it definitely means not letting your biggest show of the summer happen without the people fans are dying to watch.
📝 Final Thought: Adapt or Fade
Look — the current Derby isn’t bad. But it could be so much better. The format is outdated, the stakes are low, and the best players are opting out. That’s a problem that can’t be ignored.
It’s time for Major League Baseball to get creative. If that means flipping the script and letting Ohtani set the pace? Go for it.
Because whether you love him for his bat, his mound work, or his once-in-a-century talent… everyone agrees: The Home Run Derby just isn’t the same without Shohei.
And it sure isn’t a “must-see” without Judge either.
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