An appreciation post for Willson Contreras' power-packed HR Derby performance

No, Willson Contreras didn't win the MLB Home Run Derby on Monday night, but he still put on an awesome display of raw power with the monster shots he hit early in the event.

Chosen to go first overall in the event, Contreras set the tone for the night by crushing 13 homers in the first round -- tied with eventual winner Jordan Walker's first-round total. At one point, Contreras hit homers on five straight swings.

Conteras' longest shot of the night travelled a stagging 490 feet. That was the longest of the night until Rays star Junior Caminero topped him in the second round with a 491-foot blast.

Contreras put on another strong power display in the second round, but he was edged 9-8 by hometown hero Kyle Schwarber. Contreras' total was the second most of the second round, but he didn't advance to the finals because the format shifted to a head-to-head format in the second round. Walker edged Caminero 6-5 in his side of the bracket.

Walker, Contreras' teammate in St. Louis since 2023, won the contest by homering in his final six swings to beat Schwarber.