No Pete Alonso, no problem. The 2025 Home Run Derby got a massive power boost Tuesday when Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Oneil Cruz was announced for the event.
Cruz will join a suddenly stacked group of power hitters in the contest, which includes Cal Raleigh, James Wood, Byron Buxton and Ronald Acuña Jr.
Advertisement
While Raleigh leads MLB in home runs and Acuña has Derby experience, Cruz might have the best skill set to excel at the event. Cruz, 26, is a Statcast darling, ranking in the 100th percentile in bat speed, average exit velocity, barrel rate and hard-hit percentage. He also owns the record for hardest-hit ball recorded by Statcast. He set that record during a May 25 game vs. the Brewers, when he belted a 122.9 mph home run into the Allegheny River. The hit surpassed the previous record of 122.4 mph, also held by Cruz. Simply put, his swing and approach are built for success in the Home Run Derby.
Despite his immense power, Cruz hasn’t reached his full potential as a hitter yet. He’s slashing just .203/.315/.402 over 343 plate appearances this season.
Cruz is the least accomplished player to enter the 20225 Derby. Of the five players confirmed for the event, he’s the only one who has never made an All-Star Game. Raleigh and Wood were in the same position prior to Sunday, when Wood was announced as a reserve. Raleigh was previously announced as a starter in the game.
While three other spots are still up for grabs, the 2025 Home Run Derby should be a wide-open field. A number of talented power hitters have declined the event, including Alonso — a two-time winner — and Teoscar Hernandez, last year’s winner. Aaron Judge also said he would not take part in the event.
Advertisement
Those absences guarantee a new winner will be crowned in this year’s Derby. They also ensure that MLB will get to show off some of its young, powerful stars, especially now that Cruz and Wood are both on board.
