Two Studs, Two Duds From 2025 MLB Home Run Derby
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The baseball world converged in Atlanta for an entertaining edition with the 2025 MLB Home Run Derby Monday night at Truist Park.
After a underwhelming event last year in Texas, fans saw balls soar over 500 feet and a late rally from a hometown slugger.
Seattle Mariners catcher and this season's MLB home run leader Cal Raleigh rose to the occasion to take home the victorious trophy and chain with a thunderous performance.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 14: Oneil Cruz #15 of the Pittsburgh Pirates reacts during the Home Run Derby at Truist Park on July 14, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 14: Oneil Cruz #15 of the Pittsburgh Pirates reacts during the Home Run Derby at Truist Park on July 14, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Here are two studs and two duds from Monday's Home Run Derby in Atlanta.
Studs:
Oneil Cruz, Pirates (This season: 16 home runs)
Cruz fell short in the semifinals, though he led all sluggers with 21 homers in the first round. The Pirates star dropped jaws around Truist Park with a few Titantic blasts, including a 513-foot shot in the opening round.
Junior Caminero, Rays (This season: 23 home runs)
The Tampa Bay phenom put on a thrilling performance as the derby's runner-up. Caminero blasted 44 total homers and tied Cruz for the most in the opening round. The 22-year-old tallied 15 home runs in the finals in pursuit of Raleigh.
Duds:
Jazz Chisholm Jr., Yankees (This season: 17 home runs)The Yankees infielder never found a rhythm and quickly fell to elimination with just three home runs in his derby performance.
Cal Raleigh (right-handed), Mariners (This season: 38 home runs)
The eventual champion nearly failed to make it out of the first round.
After a flurry of home runs prior to his timeout, the switch hitter flipped to the right side of the plate and ended the round in a tie with Athletics slugger Brent Rooker. Raleigh advanced on a technical tiebreak as his longest first-round homer beat Rooker's best by under an inch according to StatCast measurements.
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