2023 MLB Home Run Derby winner will receive 3-pound chain

The 2023 MLB Home Run Derby winner will go home a few pounds heavier. On Wednesday, the MLB announced this year’s victor will receive a three-pound chain, which features over 1,000 stones.

Per TMZ Sports, “It also has a centerpiece made of recycled glass and 75 carats of white and yellow Swarovski Crystal embellishments. And, get this, the center even spins.”

Although the pricy jewelry was redesigned this year, it isn’t a new tradition. The MLB implemented the unique trophy three years ago. Since then, New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso won the award twice, and San Diego Padres outfielder Juan Soto took it home last season.

A closer look at the 2023 Home Run Derby Chain ⚾️ (🔁: @mlb) pic.twitter.com/2XskQ13vbj

— GQ Sports (@GQSports) July 6, 2023

While Soto will not be in this year’s rendition of the fan-favorite competition, Alonso will return. As of now, the first-round matchups of the contest look like this:

(1) Luis Robert Jr. vs. (8) Adley Rutschman
(2) Pete Alonso vs. (7) Julio Rodríguez
(3) Mookie Betts vs. (6) Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 
(4) Adolis García vs. (5) Randy Arozarena

Jewelry designer Kenny Hwang is the man behind the bedazzled victory prize. Hwang’s priceless pieces aren’t typically flaunted on laps around the bases, but instead struts across the runway. However, when the MLB approached him three years ago, he was intrigued by the peculiar challenge.

Since then, Hwang has reinvented the chain every year, constantly adapting to the location and themes present at the All-Star Week. This year, he feels like created something special.

“So, there’s like a royal blue thing going on,” Hwang said, per MLB.com. “One of the thoughts was to powder coat the ball, which is a process they use for like, making cars and appliances. That’s what’s fun, right? It’s taking different fabrication techniques and combining them in jewelry, like, ‘Who does powder coating that way?'”

While the chain might don a Dodgers Blue, the Home Run Derby will be at T-Mobile Arena in Seattle this year. Hwang hopes his piece dazzles viewers, no matter what angle they see it from.

“So, on a runway, you’ve got a good maybe 40 seconds, 60 seconds of focused camera time, and then they’re getting close-ups, different angles,” Hwang said. “But with this, it’s a few seconds at a time. And it’s random, so we don’t know what angle it’s going to be looked at. The key is that no matter what angle you look at it, it sends the message in less than a second.”

The Home Run Derby will begin at 8 p.m. ET on July 10. ESPN will broadcast the event.