Art Charles is the new LMB Home Run Derby champion

The Home Run Derby trophy will travel to the Yucatan Peninsula in the centennial year of the Mexican Baseball League (LMB) .

Leones de Yucatán player Art Charles became the new LMB Home Run Derby champion. The competition took place this Saturday, June 28, at Alfredo Harp Helú Stadium, as a prelude to the 2025 All-Star Game.

The LMB is celebrating its centennial this season, and the All-Star Game is one of the main events. The first two of four scheduled days of activities were for the Future Stars, followed by the Home Run Derby, and concluding with the game between the league's best players and the Mexican National Team this Sunday.

Born in Bakersfield, California (USA) on October 11, 1990, Art Charles became only the second Leones de Yucatán player to win the LMB Home Run Derby. The first was Luis Juárez in 2018.

“This year is a good time for me,” Charles said in a post-event press conference. “I'm working hard every day. Winning this helps us gain confidence and also for the team. It's not all about me; it's about winning for the team and so we can compete for a championship again.”

The Home Run Derby has been held in the LMB since 2000, emulating the Major League Baseball (MLB) model in the United States, which was established in 1985.

This weekend, eight players participated at Alfredo Harp Helú Stadium: David Hensley of Caliente de Durango; Robinson Canó of Diablos Rojos del México; Alejandro Mejía of Dorados de Chihuahua; Ángel Reyes of Rieleros de Aguascalientes; Leonardo Reginatto of Tigres de Quintana Roo; Aderlín Rodríguez of Toros de Tijuana; Sandber Pimentel of Bravos de León; and the winner, Art Charles of Leones de Yucatán.

The competition consisted of three rounds. Everyone participated in the first round, and the four who hit the most home runs advanced to the second round: Charles with 15, Hensley with 9, and both Rodríguez and Pimentel with 4 each.

In the second round, the home runs from the first round were added together, and those with the most total advanced to the final: Charles with 28 and Hensley with 26.

In fact, Art Charles made history and tied Bill Shelby (2005), Japhet Amador (2013) and Marc Flores (2022) as the players with the most home runs in the first round of a Home Run Derby with 15.

The other 2025 finalist, David Hensley, set two records: most home runs in the second round of this event (17) and most in any round (tied with Marc Flores' 17 in 2022).

In the final duel between Charles and Hensley, the Leones de Yucatán team defeated the Caliente de Durango team 15-14, celebrating in front of a stadium that was more than 80% full despite the heavy rain that hit Mexico City in the afternoon.

"I really appreciate that they were supporting me. Normally, I'm against these fans, but it was a lot of love from them, and I'm very grateful for this time. When you play against the Diablos, all the teams know it's very difficult, but I really appreciate the support from the fans," Charles added at a press conference.

“I've competed in this event many times and lost, in finals and semifinals, but this year is mine, it's my moment, and I'm super excited, especially in this centennial year of the league and also because my parents are here.”

At the nationality level, Art Charles is the first American-born player to win the LMB Home Run Derby since Marc Flores in 2022 (player for Rieleros de Aguascalientes).

This Sunday, Charles will continue his activities by being part of the Mexican National Team roster that will play in the All-Star Game against a combined team of the league's 20 teams, also at the Alfredo Harp Helú Stadium.

"It will be an honor for me. I'm very proud of it, and I'm looking forward to representing Mexico like the Lions tonight, fighting hard and putting on a great show for the fans," concluded the new Home Run Derby champion.