Home Run Derby 2025: Cruz, Buxton Confirmed

The midsummer night’s slugfest for 2025 is scheduled for July 14, and the lineup of eight competitors is beginning to solidify.

Ronald Acuña Jr., the Atlanta Braves’ celebrated outfielder, was the first to commit to participating in the contest, which will be hosted at his home stadium, Truist Field, in Atlanta. He will be joined by seven of Major League Baseball’s premier power hitters in this widely enjoyed event. Pittsburgh Pirates power-hitter Oneil Cruz became the newest addition to the competition’s roster on Tuesday, which leaves just three slots remaining.

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Teoscar Hernández, an outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers, is the current titleholder after defeating Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals in the 2024 championship round. He has opted not to defend his title this year.

Here is a listing of each participant who has been formally announced for this year’s competition.

Who is participating in the 2025 MLB Home Run Derby?

Oneil Cruz, Pirates outfielder

Cruz announced his intent to participate in the competition this past Tuesday. The 26-year-old outfielder currently possesses the second-lowest number of home runs amongst all participants but arguably has the most advantageous skill set for this format. Cruz is considered a Statcast standout, achieving a ranking in the 100th percentile for bat speed, average exit velocity, barrel rate, and percentage of hard hits. He currently holds the record for the hardest-hit ball in MLB, recorded at 122.9 mph in May during a home run.

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Byron Buxton, Twins outfielder

Buxton declared his entry into the competition via Instagram. The 31-year-old Minnesota Twins outfielder has already exceeded his total home runs from the previous two seasons and is projecting to reach a career-high. Following his participation in the Derby, he is scheduled to represent the American League in his second All-Star Game.

“Coming back home to be involved in something of this nature is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” stated Buxton, who was born in Georgia. “I am aware that I won’t be playing for another 30 years for it to return to Atlanta, so that unique opportunity— I discussed it with close friends, teammates, family, and everyone expressed their enthusiasm. … They advised me not to let this chance pass.”

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James Wood, Nationals outfielder

This 6-foot-7 slugger for the Washington Nationals is experiencing a breakthrough season, having surpassed the 20-home-run milestone by the conclusion of June. Wood, aged 22, was included in the Juan Soto trade, which brought a collection of promising young players to the Nationals from the San Diego Padres.

Wood has demonstrated such offensive dominance this season that on June 29, the Los Angeles Angels intentionally walked him four times. The most recent instance of a player receiving such treatment from an opposing team was Barry Bonds in 2004.

Cal Raleigh, Mariners catcher

The leading home run hitter in MLB is a catcher for the Seattle Mariners with the moniker “The Big Dumper,” and he is on course to shatter all of his previous personal bests and perhaps even challenge the American League’s record for home runs if his performance persists. Baseball truly is an exciting sport.

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With two consecutive seasons of hitting 30 home runs and outstanding defensive play behind the plate, recognized with a Platinum Glove award, Raleigh entered this season as one of baseball’s most undervalued players. Currently, even casual followers of baseball should be familiar with his name, as he is making a strong case to be recognized as one of baseball’s premier players, if he isn’t already.

Ronald Acuña Jr., Braves outfielder

The hometown supporters in Atlanta will have Acuña to cheer for, although he will likely have the fewest home runs among the Derby participants because he began his season two months behind schedule after recovering from a torn ACL, which caused him to miss a large portion of 2024.

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Acuña has been performing exceptionally well since his return and possesses the capability to hit 40 home runs when at full health. He became the fifth player in MLB history to record 40 home runs and steal 40 bases in a single season prior to being named MVP in 2023. The Derby will offer him an exceptional opportunity to demonstrate to a national audience that he remains one of MLB’s most outstanding talents.

Who is not participating in the 2025 MLB Home Run Derby?

The participants in the Home Run Derby rarely align perfectly with the top home run hitters at the All-Star break, and 2025 will be no different. Despite the talent within the competition, a few other top players in MLB have declined to participate:

• Aaron Judge: The current AL MVP and three-time home run leader emerged victorious in the event during his rookie year in 2017 and has not participated since, stating that he will not do so again until the All-Star Game is held once more at Yankee Stadium. He reiterated this stance earlier this month.

• Shohei Ohtani: MLB’s most renowned international star, who was involved in the Derby in 2021, commented that he did not believe it was “feasible” for him to participate given the Derby’s format. He is also currently in the process of building up his endurance as a starting pitcher again, which might make it too demanding to include the event in his schedule.

• Vladimir Guerrero Jr.: The Toronto Blue Jays’ player with a $500 million contract, who claimed victory in the event in 2023 and holds the record for the most home runs ever hit in the event in 2019 (91), is a definite no.

• Teoscar Hernández: The current champion has decided not to defend his title, apparently citing the physical demands of the competition and the fact that he has already been sidelined due to injury earlier this year.

• Kyle Schwarber: The outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies will be participating in the All-Star Game but will not be joining the Derby lineup. “We will see what transpires next year,” commented Schwarber, who currently ranks third in the National League with 27 home runs.

• Pete Alonso: The 30-year-old first baseman for the New York Mets has declined an invitation this year, stating the need for recuperation. This slugger has consistently been a participant in the Home Run Derby every season it has been conducted since his rookie year. He has won the event twice and has currently hit 20 home runs this season.

What are the regulations for the 2025 MLB Home Run Derby?

Following a decade of using a straight one-on-one tournament format with timed rounds, MLB introduced revisions to the format in 2024.

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Rather than having four matchups in the initial round, the previous year saw all eight competitors vying to secure a spot among the top four, with a restriction of 40 pitches within a three-minute timeframe along with three bonus outs (in which they continue to hit until they fail to hit a home run three times). The hitters were then positioned in the semifinal and final rounds according to their seeding, with the latter round including two minutes and 27 pitches.

This format was intricate, and it remains uncertain whether MLB will employ the same rules for this year’s competition.

When will the 2025 MLB Home Run Derby take place?

The 2025 Home Run Derby is scheduled to occur in Atlanta at 8 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, July 14, the day following the 2025 MLB Draft and the day preceding the 2025 MLB All-Star Game. Typically, the event will be broadcast on ESPN.