In his first-ever MLB Home Run Derby on Monday night in Seattle, Orioles’ star catcher Adley Rutschman immediately impressed by hitting 27 home runs in the first round. The switch-hitter, who grew up three hours away in Portland, Oregon, hit 21 home runs from the left side of the plate and followed up with six home runs from the right side. Despite his impressive display of power, Rutschman was defeated by White Sox slugger Luis Robert, who hit 28 home runs.
Rutschman will treasure the night for a long time because he competed in the Home Run Derby with his father Randy Rutschman pitching. Additionally, he did it in a stadium located near his hometown.
“We had a great moment out there,” Rutschman said about his dad tossing pitches. “Ever since I have grown up, he has tossed me BP. “It’s one of those father-son moments that is going to be a memory of a lifetime.”
Rutsch Crush.
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) July 3, 2023
Adley Rutschman will compete in the Home Run Derby! pic.twitter.com/pX4zJT5i0y
Adley Rutschman talks about surreal experience with his dad pitching him
Rutschman will treasure the night for a long time because he competed in the Home Run Derby with his father Randy Rutschman pitching. Additionally, he did it in a stadium located near his hometown.
“It means a lot to be this close to home, having my dad throw me BP, like it’s another day back at home in the offseason,” Rutschman said.
It means a lot to be this close to home, having my dad throw me BP, like it’s another day back at home in the offseason
Rutschman
When Rutschman was eight years old, he competed in his last Home Run Derby in Seattle. Throughout his less than two years in the big leagues, he has hit a total of 25 home runs, with 12 of them coming from the 86 games he played this season.
“I’m excited. I don’t know how it is going to go,” Rutschman said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun and I think we have a good mindset going in that we are going to try and enjoy the moment and be there for each other.”