In an early-round upset, Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber lost in the first round of the 2022 Home Run Derby to future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols.
Schwarber, the No. 1 seed, matched the 42-year-old Pujols’ 13 home runs. The two went to a one-minute swing-off where Pujols hit seven home runs. Schwarber fell just short, hitting just six home runs. His farthest home run traveled 470 ft.
The Dodger Stadium crowd was clearly pulling for Pujols, a former Dodger who was competing in his fifth and final Derby of this career. Many expected Schwarber to easily beat out the veteran Pujols, but it appears Schwarber didn’t bring his home run swing to Los Angeles.
Pujols will face the Nationals’ Juan Soto in the semifinals. The Mariners’ Julio Rodriguez faces two-time defending champion Pete Alonso of the New York Mets.
Schwarber will play in the All-Star Game tomorrow night. He’s the Phillies only representative in LA as Bryce Harper did not attend the festivities.