Why did Adley Rutschman switch hit during the Home Run Derby? Orioles All-Star dazzles with impressive display

Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman added a little razzle-dazzle to his Home Run Derby debut in Seattle on Monday.

After the regulation portion of his first-round matchup, Rutschman switched from hitting left-handed to hitting righty. The lowest-seeded slugger in the eight-man field, Rutschman was receiving pitches from his father, Randy, who he had discussed the switch-hitting strategy with prior to the derby.

Rutschman hit 20 left-handed home runs during the regulation portion, before hitting seven more right-handed homers on eight swings in his 30-second bonus round.

Sadly, Rutschman did not hit two 440-foot homers during regulation, meaning he did not receive an added 30-second bonus to give him a full minute of added swings.

The lack of time made all the difference as he faced off against the derby's No. 1 seed, Luis Robert Jr. of the Chicago White Sox.

Robert Jr., who clubbed multiple homers 440 feet or further — with one homer going 470 feet — used his added bonus time to down Adley Rutschman 28-27 with several seconds to spare.

However, by pulling off the switch-hitting homer display, Rutschman etched himself into derby lore despite his early exit.

Adley Rutschman is leading Orioles to their best season in years

Adley Rutschman #35 of the Baltimore Orioles is introduced prior to the start of the T-Mobile Home Run Derby at T-Mobile Park on July 10, 2023 in Seattle, Washington.

Rutschman is having a tremendous campaign in his second major league season, quickly becoming the figurehead of a resurgent Orioles franchise.

The No. 1 pick of the 2019 MLB Draft is hitting .273 with 12 home runs and 39 RBIs as Baltimore is hot on the heels of the American League East-leading Tampa Bay Rays with a 54-35 record.

Notably, the Orioles have not had a winning season since the team's last playoff appearance in 2016.