Ah, the Home Run Derby. The only time during the MLB season when players actually get to show off their hitting prowess without the pesky interference of pitchers who think they’re hot stuff. For those few glorious minutes, it’s just you, the bat, and the ball—no curveballs, no sliders, just pure, unadulterated power. Today, we’re going to take a look at the top 10 hitters who have turned this glorified batting practice into their personal playground. And because no discussion of greatness is complete without its antithesis, we’ll also dive into the 10 worst Derby participants who probably should have stayed in the dugout.

The Greatest Home Run Derby Hitters

1. Ken Griffey Jr.

The Kid. The backwards hat. The sweetest swing you’ve ever seen. Griffey didn’t just hit home runs; he made it look like an art form. Winning the Derby three times (1994, 1998, 1999), Griffey Jr. set the standard. Who can forget his majestic shots at Camden Yards in ’93 or the way he owned Coors Field in ’98? Every kid on the block wanted to be Griffey, and every pitcher hated to face him.

2. Prince Fielder

Fielder didn’t just hit home runs; he sent them into orbit. With two Derby wins (2009, 2012) and a swing that could launch a satellite, Prince made sure everyone remembered his name—even if they couldn’t see the ball land. Remember that bomb he hit into the Busch Stadium’s right-field upper deck in ’09? Fielder was a walking spectacle, and watching him crush baseballs was like witnessing a natural disaster—impressive and terrifying.

3. Yoenis Céspedes

The guy nobody expected. Céspedes came out of nowhere and blasted his way to back-to-back Derby victories in 2013 and 2014. His 17-homer barrage in the final round of the 2013 Derby at Citi Field was a statement. He didn’t just win; he annihilated the competition. And let’s not forget that jaw-dropping 452-foot shot to left-center. Céspedes’ performance was as flashy as his Lamborghini, proving he had more than just speed and an arm—he had serious power.

4. Giancarlo Stanton

If home runs were judged on sheer terror, Stanton would be the GOAT. His 2016 Derby performance was nothing short of a demolition derby. He hit 61 homers in Petco Park, setting a record and making pitchers wish they could have a beer and watch from the stands. Stanton’s homers weren’t just long; they were absurdly powerful, making fans in the upper decks and beyond scramble for souvenirs.

5. Pete Alonso

The Polar Bear. Alonso took the 2019 and 2021 Derbies by storm, crushing homers like he was swatting flies. His raw power is matched only by his knack for showmanship. In 2019, he hit 57 total homers, showing off a power stroke that made pitchers weep. Then he did it again in 2021, with a cool and collected demeanor that belied the sheer force he was putting into every swing. Alonso isn’t just a power hitter; he’s a Derby legend in the making.

6. Josh Hamilton

Hamilton’s 2008 performance at Yankee Stadium is the stuff of legend. Twenty-eight homers in the first round, including a few that probably still haven’t landed. Sure, he didn’t win that year, but who cares? It was a fireworks show. His blasts reached the furthest parts of the old Yankee Stadium, making the place look like a Little League park. Hamilton’s display of raw, natural power remains one of the most memorable moments in Derby history.

7. Mark McGwire

Big Mac didn’t just eat his Wheaties; he devoured them. In the late ’90s, McGwire turned the Derby into his personal power trip, hitting mammoth home runs that made the steroid era worth watching (kinda). His 1999 performance at Fenway Park was unforgettable. He crushed balls over the Green Monster and out onto Lansdowne Street, making the historic park look ridiculously small. Love or hate him, McGwire was a Derby monster.

8. Sammy Sosa

Speaking of the steroid era, Sosa’s 2000 Home Run Derby performance is iconic. He hit balls so far they were practically leaving the stratosphere. Corked bat or not, the man knew how to put on a show. His performance at Turner Field included several 500-foot shots, and his infectious enthusiasm made the event a joy to watch. Sosa brought the same flair to the Derby that he did to his home run races with McGwire.

9. David Ortiz

Big Papi’s 2010 Derby win was the cherry on top of his legendary career. Ortiz didn’t just hit home runs; he hit moonshots, making pitchers wish they had stayed home that day. In Angel Stadium, he launched ball after ball into the California night, cementing his place as one of the game’s great power hitters. Ortiz’s charisma and sheer power made every swing a must-watch.

10. Bryce Harper

Harper’s 2018 win was a patriotic spectacle, complete with a headband and a furious rally to steal the crown. Love him or hate him, the guy knows how to put on a show—and that’s what the Derby’s all about. Harper’s last-minute heroics, hitting nine homers in less than a minute, electrified the Nationals Park crowd and added another dramatic chapter to the Derby’s history.

The Worst Home Run Derby Hitter Performances

And now, for a little schadenfreude. Let’s take a look at the 10 worst Home Run Derby participants who probably should have stayed in the dugout. These are the guys who swung and missed, sometimes literally, and turned the Derby into an exercise in futility.

1. Brandon Inge (2009)

Inge’s performance in 2009 was an exercise in embarrassment. He managed to hit exactly zero home runs. That’s right, a big fat goose egg. It was like watching a kid try to hit a piñata with a blindfold on—painful and kind of sad.

2. Robinson Canó (2012)

The reigning champion in 2011, Canó decided to show everyone how not to defend a title in 2012. He hit zero home runs at Kauffman Stadium, drawing boos from the Kansas City crowd. Talk about a fall from grace.

3. Bret Boone (2003)

Boone put on a masterclass in how not to swing a bat during the 2003 Derby. He managed just three home runs and looked like he was swinging a toothpick. It was a performance so forgettable, even Boone probably doesn’t remember it.

4. Gary Sheffield (1996)

Sheffield was known for his violent swing, but in the 1996 Derby, it was more like a violent flop. He managed only one home run, making everyone wonder if he left his power at home.

5. Mike Piazza (1993)

Piazza might be one of the greatest hitting catchers of all time, but his 1993 Derby performance was a disaster. He hit only zero home runs, proving that sometimes even the best can have an off day—an off day that lives in infamy.

6. Jim Thome (1998)

Thome was a feared slugger, except in the 1998 Derby where he hit only three home runs. It was like watching a lion with no teeth try to roar—disappointing and a bit sad.

7. Sammy Sosa (2002)

Yes, Sosa makes both lists. His 2000 performance was legendary, but in 2002, he couldn’t replicate the magic. He managed only one home run, showing that even the greats can have an off day.

8. Jermaine Dye (2001)

Dye’s performance in the 2001 Derby was about as exciting as watching paint dry. He hit only two home runs, looking more like he was in a charity softball game than a home run contest.

9. Troy Glaus (2001)

Glaus was a power hitter who forgot to bring the power in 2001. He managed only two home runs, making everyone wonder if he was saving his energy for the All-Star Game instead.

10. Joe Carter (1992)

Carter was a clutch hitter, but in the 1992 Derby, he was anything but. He hit only one home run, turning what should have been a showcase of power into a showcase of mediocrity.