It had a delayed start and was later disrupted by rain, but all in all, the 2021 Don’t Blink Home Run Derby in Paradise proved to be a great way to spend a mid-lockout Saturday afternoon. Royals prospect MJ Melendez took the title, edging past the Marlins’ own Jazz Chisholm Jr. and defending derby champion Lewis Brinson.
After previous editions of the derby were held on Montague Beach in the Bahamas, this one was moved to Atlantis Paradise Island. Derby contestants stepped onto a beachside stage and launched baseball into the ocean, needing to clear a floating “fence” to be credited with home runs.