Cart is empty
The anticipation is palpable! It’s Home Run Derby day at Truist Park in Atlanta, and baseball’s biggest sluggers are ready to unleash a barrage of bombs into the stands. This marquee event, airing Monday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN, is always one of the summer’s most thrilling spectacles, and 2025 is shaping up to be no exception.
While we won’t see a repeat champion this year (2024 winner Teoscar Hernandez isn’t in the mix), the field is packed with electrifying talent. Will Atlanta’s own Matt Olson, a late replacement for Ronald Acuna Jr., electrify his home crowd? Can Cal Raleigh maintain the incredible power that led to a whopping 38 first-half home runs? Or will one of the younger, up-and-coming stars seize the moment?
At Pro Merch, we’re your ultimate destination for all things MLB, and we’ve got your comprehensive guide to the Derby, from expert predictions and live updates as the action unfolds, to in-depth analysis and key takeaways once the dust settles. And speaking of MLB, make sure to check out our incredible selection of MLB gear to support your favorite team and players! You can find all the latest apparel, collectibles, and more at https://pro-merch.com/product-category/mlb/.
The 2025 MLB Home Run Derby Field: Who’s Ready to Launch?
The stage is set for an epic showdown. Here are the powerhouses vying for the 2025 Home Run Derby crown:
- Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners (38 home runs in 2025)
- James Wood, Washington Nationals (24 home runs)
- Junior Caminero, Tampa Bay Rays (23 home runs)
- Byron Buxton, Minnesota Twins (21 home runs)
- Brent Rooker, Oakland Athletics (20 home runs)
- Matt Olson, Atlanta Braves (17 home runs)
- Jazz Chisholm Jr., New York Yankees (17 home runs)
- Oneil Cruz, Pittsburgh Pirates (16 home runs)
Predictions: Who Will Reign Supreme and Who’s the Dark Horse?
Our experts have weighed in with their picks for who will lift the trophy and who will make it to the final round. The competition is fierce, and opinions are divided!
- Jeff Passan is backing Cal Raleigh. He points to Raleigh’s Derby-perfect swing, leading MLB in both pull and fly ball percentage. Plus, his newfound prowess from the right side could give him an edge, potentially making him the first switch-hitter (and catcher!) to win the Derby. Passan sees him defeating Buxton in the final.
- Alden Gonzalez is all-in on Oneil Cruz. Despite his inconsistencies, Cruz’s youth, stamina, left-handed swing (which favors Truist Park’s right field), and incredible exit velocity make him a Derby dream. He predicts Raleigh will put on a great show but ultimately finish as the runner-up.
- Buster Olney likes the home-field advantage for Matt Olson. Though a late addition, Olson’s prior Derby experience gives him a leg up in handling the pressure and pace. With his local pitcher, Eddie Perez, by his side and the park favoring left-handed hitters, Olson is a strong contender.
- Jesse Rogers also leans towards Matt Olson, emphasizing the home-field benefit in Atlanta’s heat and humidity. Olson’s ability to pace himself and his “nothing to lose” mentality as a late entry could see him outlast the younger sluggers. Rogers also agrees that Raleigh will be in the finals against Olson.
- Jorge Castillo is making a bold pick with James Wood. While Wood doesn’t always hit a high percentage of fly balls, his immense power is undeniable. In an event designed to launch the ball, Wood will unleash his titanic strength, overcoming Cruz in the final.
The Longest Blast: Who Will Send One Into Orbit?
Beyond the winner, everyone’s buzzing about who will hit the most prodigious home run of the night. These sluggers are known for their moonshots, and Atlanta’s hot, humid air could help them defy gravity!
- Passan is betting on Oneil Cruz, citing his record-breaking exit velocities. He foresees a 493-foot blast from Cruz.
- Gonzalez envisions James Wood joining elite company like Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, predicting Wood will smash a 497-plus foot homer.
- Olney also believes James Wood has the “Stanton- and Judge-type power” to clear the Chophouse, calling for a 497-foot bomb.
- Rogers predicts Byron Buxton will unleash his “massive strength” for a 505-foot monster shot, even if he doesn’t go far in the competition.
- Castillo expects Oneil Cruz to crush a few “lasers,” with one reaching a staggering 500 feet.
Breakthrough Star: Who Will Capture the Fans’ Attention?
The Home Run Derby is often a launching pad for new fan favorites. Which slugger will leave a lasting impression on baseball fans?
- Passan thinks Byron Buxton will remind everyone why he was once the top prospect in baseball. After a recent cycle, a healthy Buxton is poised to put on a memorable display.
- Olney believes Junior Caminero will open eyes. Once a lesser-known prospect, Caminero has refined his game and is now showcasing “ridiculous power” that will undoubtedly get noticed.
The Defining Moment: What Will We Be Talking About Tomorrow?
Every Derby has that one unforgettable moment or overarching theme. What will stick with us long after the last ball lands?
- Gonzalez expects the sheer “incredible distances and velocities” achieved by sluggers like Wood, Cruz, Caminero, Raleigh, and Buxton to be the highlight, amplified by Atlanta’s hot and humid weather.
- Rogers humorously predicts the “exhaustion on the hitter’s faces,” as they battle the heat and humidity of “Hot-lanta” while swinging for the fences.
- Castillo anticipates Oneil Cruz’s 500-foot blast and his barrage of “lasers” in the early rounds before he eventually runs out of steam in the finals.
The 2025 MLB Home Run Derby promises to be an unforgettable night of power, excitement, and incredible athleticism. Grab your favorite MLB merchandise from https://pro-merch.com/product-category/mlb/ and get ready to witness history!
What are your predictions for the Derby? Who do you think will hit the longest home run?