Headlined by pitchers who rake, original HRDX competitors, fierce MLB rivalries and World Series MVPs who broke their teams’ historic droughts, the event in Des Moines is filled with storylines. Jake Arrieta and Adam Wainwright will face off to see which pitcher is the better hitter; HRDX veterans Jonny Gomes and Nick Swisher will once again go at it; a pair of World Series MVPs in Manny Ramirez and Ben Zobrist will be trying to get their respective teams to the Finals in Salt Lake, Utah, and the most compelling rivalries in all of baseball -- the Cubs vs. Cardinals and Red Sox vs. Yankees -- will square off in the dinger royale.
With so much on the line, the HRDX event on Aug. 30 at Principal Park will be one for the ages.
The rules of this fast-paced Home Run Derby are unique. Click here for more information on rules, but here is a quick rundown:
- Each of the four teams will feature three players.
- Each batter gets two minutes and 30 seconds to take as many swings as possible.
- They get one point for every home run -- with an extra point being awarded for a ball that flies through the outfield target.
- During each at-bat, hitters can call for a "hot streak." They'll get double points for every ball they hit during the hot streak.
Here are the rosters for the four teams participating in Des Moines this season, each seeking a spot in Salt Lake.
Cubs
Jake Arrieta
Though Arrieta is best known for dominating on the mound, winning a Cy Young and World Series, the 6-foot-4 right-hander also showed off his pop in the Major Leagues. Arrieta won a Silver Slugger Award in 2016 with an OPS of .720, which was higher than six MLB teams that season! With seven HRs in his career, including a 3-run HR off Madison Bumgarner in the 2016 NLDS, Arrieta looks to once again prove that some pitchers aren't too shabby with a bat in their hands.
Ben Zobrist
Best known for the biggest hit in Cubs franchise history, when he gave Chicago the lead on an RBI double in the 10th inning of Game 7 of the 2016 World Series, Zobrist will be competing in his first Home Run Derby X. Despite growing up as a Cardinals fan, Zobrist found himself on the other side of the rivalry during his career, playing with the Cubs for four seasons. Zobrist, who is respected for being an ultra utility player, played every position on the diamond except catcher in his 14 year big league career. The 2015 World Series winner with the Royals and 2016 World Series MVP with the Cubs played three different positions in the Fall Classic with three different teams.
Erika Piancastelli
In the first HRDX event ever, Erika Piancastelli won MVP. She looks to bring the power she brought that day in London to Durham. Piancastelli shattered the record books at McNeese State, where she was a two-time All-American, posting a .401/.568/.868 batting line in her career. Piancastelli holds records for most career home runs (75) and RBIs (212). She was so good at the plate that many pitchers would rather walk her than face her, as she set a Southland Conference record with 229 career walks. Piancastelli, whose jersey No. 16 is retired at McNeese, will once again try to claim a championship in Durham.
Cardinals
Adam Wainwright
A 3-time All-Star and 200-game winner, Adam Wainwright won’t be showcasing his arm but rather his bat in this year's HRDX. The former Cardinals ace hit a HR in his first big league AB in 2006, won a Silver Slugger Award in 2017 with a .731 OPS, and had 10 career Major League home runs. The 18-year big league veteran and 2006 World Series winner will try to use his winning pedigree to help bring the Cardinals to Salt Lake in his first ever HRDX appearance.
Rick Ankiel
The first player after Babe Ruth to win at least 10 games as a pitcher and also hit at least 70 homers, Rick Ankiel certainly had a unique career. Ankiel is also the only player other than Ruth to both start a postseason game as a pitcher and hit a home run in the postseason as a position player. After pitching for the Cardinals for over three seasons, Ankiel reinvented his career, becoming an outfielder. In his first home game as a true hitter for the Cardinals, the lefty received a standing ovation and then proceeded to hit a three-run homer in the 7th inning. Ankiel played a total of 11 years in the Major Leagues and finished with a career 76 homers and a 3.90 ERA. Ankiel will be a new participant in HRDX this season, but he will certainly be showcasing his power in Des Moines.
Taylor Shumaker
The University of Florida freshman sensation Taylor Shumaker has started her Gator career on fire. Shumaker was named to the All-SEC First Team, USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Top 25 Finalist, 4-time SEC Freshman of the Week, and D1 Softball’s National Player of the Week. Going into the NCAA tournament, which starts Friday, Shumaker hit 18 home runs with an .380 average to help lead the Gators to the No. 3 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. After hopefully getting Florida to the College World Series, Shumaker's focus will turn to trying to hit dingers during HRDX.
Yankees
Nick Swisher
One of the most outgoing people in baseball, Swisher played for five teams, but is best known for his time in pinstripes. With the Yankees, he made an All-Star team and helped New York win the 2009 World Series. Swisher is no stranger to the spotlight, as he made appearances on popular shows “How I Met Your Mother” and “Sweet Magnolias.” Now, Swisher is one of the biggest HRDX enthusiasts, as he loves this event and is excited to put on another great show for the fans in Des Moines.
Jocelyn Alo
Known as the Home Run Queen, Jocelyn Alo rewrote the record books during her time at the University of Oklahoma. Alo finished her career as the NCAA all-time leader in home runs (122), slugging percentage (.987), and total bases (761). The Oklahoma super star also holds a postseason record of 12 career HRs in the College World Series and was the first player in NCAA history to bat over .500 and hit 30-plus homers in a single season. Alo appeared in four CWS, won two National Championships and was a three time First Team All-American. The right-handed power bat with a historic resume has already participated in HRDX and even hit a walk-off winner in last year's Nashville event.
Noah Bridges
You want some home run entertainment? You can't do better than Bridges. After starring at UNC Wilmington from 2018-22, Bridges has become a superstar for the extremely entertaining and instantly viral Savannah Bananas. We'll need to wait and see what tricks Bridges has up his sleeve for Des Moines.
Red Sox
Jonny Gomes
The two-time World Series champion, who has been a staple representative in Home Run Derby X, will try to push his team to Salt Lake in Des Moines. Gomes, who crushed a huge homer in Game 4 of the 2013 World Series to help Boston raise the trophy, won the first HRDX title in 2022. Gomes mashed 162 big league homers and hopes to blast many more in Des Moines this season.
Manny Ramirez
One of the sweetest right-handed swings in baseball history will be stepping back into the box to try and defend his title in Durham. Ramirez had a stellar career with 12 All-Star selections, nine Silver Slugger awards, two World Series and a batting title. Ramirez also helped break the “Curse of the Bambino” with the Red Sox, as he won the 2004 World Series MVP award. The Dominican Republic native is known for his clutch October hitting, as he leads the Major Leagues in career Postseason home runs with 29. Ramirez loves baseball and is excited to launch more dingers into the stands in Durham.
Kinzie Hansen
All she does is win. In four seasons at the University of Oklahoma, Kinzie Hansen won four National Championships. In 2023, Hansen was named the winner of the Johnny Bench Award for best college softball catcher. She dominated during her Sooner career, slashing .387/.434/.734 with 49 homers. Hansen, who now plays professionally for the Oklahoma City Sparks, will look to bring that winning energy to her team in Des Moines by carrying them to Salt Lake.