Latest news with #Nationals'
Fox Sports
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Last Night in Baseball: Oneil Cruz Didn't Win the Home Run Derby (But We Did)
There is always baseball happening — almost too much baseball for one person to handle themselves. That's why we're here to help, though, by sifting through the previous days' games, and figuring out what you missed, but shouldn't have. Here are all the best moments from last night's Home Run Derby. Take a bow, Cruz Sure, Oneil Cruz was not the 2025 Home Run Derby champion — that honor went to the Big Dumper himself, Cal Raleigh — but that's only because each round's winner is determined by the number of home runs hit, not how many players were left wide-eyed and staring at the longest dingers they've ever seen. The Pirates' outfielder put on an absolute show in his two rounds of the Derby. In the first round, he hit 21 homers, including one that… well, we'll get there, let's work up to that. A good thing to remember is that Oneil Cruz is responsible for the two hardest-hit balls of the StatCast era, and that the second of those — hit earlier in 2025 — was hit so obviously hard that you don't even need the "Statcast era" qualifier there. You can feel comfortable saying that it's the hardest-hit ball ever. And if you weren't before, well, after watching Cruz on Monday in the Derby, surely your comfort has grown. In the first round, Cruz hit a ball 488 feet and 113 mph off the bat. In the second round, Cruz — while facing eventual champion Raleigh — blasted one out of the stadium entirely. Enjoy Junior Caminero's look of complete disbelief at the end of this clip — considering Caminero made it to the finals himself, that says something about the shot. But both of those pale in comparison to Cruz's longest ball. A 513-foot blast that tied the Derby record for longest non-Coors Field home run . That might not sound impressive, but it's Coors: you have to adjust for it if you want your analysis to be taken seriously, you know. Really, the only reaction you should have to said adjustment is "I wonder how far Oneil Cruz would hit a Home Run Derby long ball at Coors Field?" Anyway: 513 feet. It's really far. If you'd like to watch Cruz's entire first round, MLB posted that video. Other players might have gone further in the event, but Cruz is certainly going to be the topic of conversation for years to come. How could he not be, considering? Oneil Cruz wasn't the only player to hit the ball entirely out of Truist Park, however. Nationals' slugger James Wood did so, too, fooling the camera in the process. Look up, camera, that ball was still flying further than you were giving it credit for. Robbery! Maybe all the kids running around in the outfield forgot themselves while dodging flying Oneil Cruz projectiles, but you're not supposed to rob any of these players of a home run! And yet, it happened to Caminero in the finals against Raleigh. To this kid's credit, that was a nice catch. It's just not supposed to have happened! And speaking of credit, luckily, Caminero still had another homer added to his total. The Rays' slugger was also in good humor about the grab, as he told MLB through an interpreter that, "Things happen. He was enjoying himself out there too. He did something he thought was fun and it was fine." Splash! Time to give some love to the champ. Big Dumper hit a ton of homers, of course, that's how you win the Derby in the first place, but let's give some shine to some specific shots. First up: a splash homer. More parks should have water features. And more players should then hit baseballs into those water features. Switch-dingering Cal Raleigh was the favorite — and eventual winner — in the 2025 Home Run Derby, but not just because he entered the event leading MLB in home runs. It's also because Raleigh is a switch-hitter who has more power from the left side, and Truist Park is one that favors lefty power hitters. Even though that's the case, Raleigh still decided to bat righty for part of the event. Hey, you take a lot of swings over the course of a Home Run Derby, and being able to switch it up can help alleviate some of the issues that'd otherwise arise from that. He's more than just a Big Dumper, Raleigh was a man with a plan. And a champion, at that. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account , and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience Oneil Cruz Pittsburgh Pirates Major League Baseball recommended Item 1 of 3 Get more from the Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
USA Today
14-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Who is pitching for every Home Run Derby participant in 2025?
The field is set for the 2025 Home Run Derby in Atlanta's Truist Field on Monday night, but it's just as important to know who's tossing them the baseballs they have to hit out. That's because we've seen how important it's been to have consistency — Pete Alonso's pitcher notably helped him win a few times! We've seen when it can be a serious problem (see: Adolis Garcia's pitcher in 2023). So if you're wondering who's tossing to which star at the plate on Monday? You've come to the right place. Here's the full list of Home Run Derby pitchers as we get set for all the dingers we're about to see: Who is Cal Raleigh's Home Run Derby pitcher? That would be his dad, Todd Raleigh. Who is Matt Olson's Home Run Derby pitcher? Eddie Perez, a coach for Olson and the Braves (who's also a former Atlanta catcher) will be throwing. Who is Byron Buxton's Home Run Derby pitcher? It's Twins third-base coach Tommy Watkins who has coached Buxton since he was in the minors. Who is James Wood's Home Run Derby pitcher? He'll be hitting balls thrown by Ricky Gutierrez, who played in the majors and who's the Nationals' third-base coach. Who is Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s Home Run Derby pitcher? That would be stepfather Geron Sands, who has been throwing to the Yankees vet since he was a kid. Who is Brent Rooker's Home Run Derby pitcher? The name is Joe Caruso, Rooker's childhood coach in Memphis. Who is Oneil Cruz's Home Run Derby pitcher? He'll have Stephen Morales on the bump, a coach with the Pirates who's also a translator. Who is Junior Caminero's Home Run Derby pitcher? That would be Tampa Bay Rays Major League field coordinator Tomas Francisco, who has thrown to Randy Arozarena in the Derby before.
UPI
14-07-2025
- Sport
- UPI
MLB Draft: Top pick Eli Willits, 17, to build power with Nationals
July 14 (UPI) -- Switch-hitting shortstop Eli Willits is lauded as exceedingly polished at the plate, but the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft says he plans to improve as a power hitter while with the Washington Nationals. Willits spoke about his desire to improve in that area Sunday, moments after the Nationals made him the youngest No. 1 overall pick in an MLB Draft since Ken Griffey Jr. in 1987. The move to select the 17-year-old infielder from Broxton High School in Fort Cobb, Okla., that early was a bit of a shock, as experts expected either shortstop Ethan Holliday or pitcher Kade Anderson to be the first player picked. "I'm just a player that's going to go out there and give everything I've got, just like everyone else," Willits said on the MLB Network broadcast from Atlanta. "I feel like I have a good hit ability and I'm going to take that to the next level. I feel like my power is up and coming, but I needed to get into an organization like the Nationals that can help develop that and take that to the next level." The 6-foot-1, 180-pound infielder previously committed to Oklahoma, but now will likely be headed into the Nationals' minor league system. He hit .471 with 14 doubles, a triple, eight home runs, 34 RBIs, 27 walks, 47 stolen bases and 56 runs last season, when he struck out only four times. "I'm just excited and thankful for the Nationals organization for giving me this chance," Willits said. "I want to thank God for everything, but at the end of the day I'm just ready to get out there and get to work." The Nationals made Willits the top pick about a week after they fired longtime general manager Mike Rizzo and Dave Martinez. Interim general manager Mike DeBartolo DeBartolo, who said he was "empowered" by ownership to make draft and trade deadline decisions, called Willits the Nationals' "top guy throughout the process." "We couldn't be more excited," DeBartolo said. "Eli, he's special player. Great hit tool, makes contact, controls the strike zone. We love his swing, switch hitter, just a clean operation at the plate, with developing power, impact at the plate then just an elite shortstop. Somebody who stays at shortstop, somebody with great range, smooth hands, great arm, accurate. You add on top of that, intangibles, confidence, work ethic and maturity that's off the charts. "You put all that together. It's rare to get somebody that is the best hitter in the draft and best fielder in the draft. We just felt that was an opportunity we couldn't pass up." The Los Angeles Angels selected former UC Santa Barbara right-handed pitcher Tyler Bremner at No. 2 overall. Anderson, a left-handed pitcher out of LSU, landed with the Seattle Mariners at No. 3. The Colorado Rockies snagged Holliday, a third baseman from Stillwater High School in Stillwater, Okla., at No. 4. Tennessee left-handed pitcher Liam Doyle went to the St. Louis Cardinals at No. 5. Right-handed pitcher Seth Hernandez (Pittsburgh Pirates), shortstop Aiva Arquette (Miami Marlins), shortstop JoJo Parker (Toronto Blue Jays), shortstop Steele Hall (Cincinnati Reds) and shortstop Billy Carlson (Chicago White Sox) rounded out the Top 10 picks. All Day 1 selections can be found here. Rounds 4 through 20 of the 2025 MLB Draft will air at 11:30 a.m. EDT Monday on and
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Red Sox turn to new trade addition for save: ‘We trust the kid and he's a good one'
WASHINGTON — On the day dominant closer Aroldis Chapman was named an All-Star for the eighth time in his career, the Red Sox used someone else to close out a tight win over the Nationals. As he has done at different points this season, manager Alex Cora chose to deploy Chapman in the eighth inning against a certain part of Washington's lineup and go elsewhere for the save. This time, it was newcomer Jordan Hicks — making his third appearance since coming over in the Rafael Devers blockbuster — who closed out a 6-4 win. Advertisement 'We're going to use him in high-leverage situations,' Cora said. 'We've done it three times already. We trust the kid and he's a good one.' With the Red Sox leading, 5-3, after Washington closed the gap in a wild seventh inning from Justin Wilson and Greg Weissert, Cora chose to go to Chapman with the Nationals' best hitter, James Wood, due up to lead off the eighth. Wood singled, but Chapman battled back to retire the side — and strike out two hitters — on just 13 pitches. By the time the baton was passed to Hicks, the Red Sox led by three runs thanks to an insurance homer by Ceddanne Rafaela. Wood was just 1-for-10 with a walk and a hit-by-pitch in three games against Boston but has been one of baseball's breakout stars this year, hitting .288 with 23 homers, 67 RBIs and a .940 OPS in 90 games. The left-handed Wood entered Sunday with a pristine .911 OPS against southpaw pitchers but the Red Sox still felt Chapman was a better matchup with Wood and first baseman Nathaniel Lowe due up in the eighth. Hicks walked Brady House with one out, then after a wild pitch, allowed a two-out RBI single to Daylen Lile that made it a two-run game. CJ Abrams, representing the tying run, flied out to left to end the game. Advertisement It was just Hicks' second save in the last two seasons. His other one came on August 19 of last season when the Giants beat the White Sox. 'I love the confidence,' Hicks said. 'I know I'm capable so just seeing the belief in me, that's all I could ask for, really.' The Red Sox improved to 46-45 with their third straight win. 'It's a great team sweep,' Hicks said. 'Just to be able to come in after Aroldis and get the job done, that's all I can ask for being on a new team.' More Red Sox coverage Read the original article on MassLive.
USA Today
07-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Nationals clean house, fire GM Mike Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez
In a stunning turnabout for a franchise that placed almost blind trust in its top two baseball officials, the Washington Nationals on Sunday fired general manager Mike Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez, who assembled and led the club that won the lone World Series championship in franchise history. Rizzo, 64, has been the Nationals' GM since 2009, taking over for the fired Jim Bowden and building around consecutive No. 1 picks in franchise icons Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper to craft an almost perennial contender throughout the previous decade, as they claimed five playoff berths between 2012 and 2019. The run culminated with the 2019 World Series title, when the Nationals – one year after Harper's departure – parlayed a wild card berth into a seven-game upset of the Houston Astros in Martinez's second year at the helm. But things turned south almost immediately. The club struggled through an injury-plagued pandemic-shortened 2020 season and soon had to write off the $245 million contract it granted Strasburg after his World Series MVP performance gave way to thoracic outlet syndrome. Martinez, 60, was in his eighth season managing the Nationals, who have not had a winning record since winning 93 games in 2019. After going 26-34 in 2020, they suffered 97- and 107-loss seasons before posting 71-91 marks each of the past two seasons. Yet the 2025 season was viewed as a time for significant progress, with a young core of players coalescing and the most serviceable roster the Nationals had fielded in at least three seasons looking ready to compete. Instead, they are 37-53, in last place in the National League East and coming off a brutal sweep by the Boston Red Sox. Martinez and Rizzo won't be around to see the rebuild through, instead having to oversee a clubhouse that went from veteran champions to twentysomethings trying to learn at the big league level after the most momentous transaction in franchise history. The club named assistant GM Mike DeBartolo as interim general manager and will announce an interim manager Monday. The team did not indicate further changes to the coaching staff. As their superstar core aged, young slugger Juan Soto remained the last man standing from their glory years, and in 2022, the Nationals created a self-imposed deadline: Trade Soto or sign him to an extension. Soto declined a heavily-deferred $440 million deal and was traded to San Diego in August 2022, a transaction that remade the franchise. While the losses piled up, the young players acquired in the Soto deal - shortstop CJ Abrams, left-hander MacKenzie Gore and outfielder James Wood - grew into the Nationals' next core. Yet as the Nationals prepared to improve on their consecutive 71-win campaigns this year, Martinez took the major leagues' 29th-ranked bullpen into battle, and the unit's 5.71 ERA has turned many close games into certain losses. In this fate-sealing skid that saw the Nationals go 9-23 since June 1, it was largely the offense's futility that made the whole machine break down. And in the process, it cast a light on Rizzo' and his regimes' inability to consistently draft and develop players. The few bright spots for the future - staff ace MacKenzie Gore, slugger James Wood and shortstop CJ Abrams - were named All-Stars the past two years. Yet the cupboard is virtually bare otherwise, even with the Nationals' favorable drafting position in recent years. They hold the No. 1 pick in the July 15 draft. It won't be Rizzo making that call. 'On behalf of our family and the Washington Nationals organization, I first and foremost want to thank Mike and Davey for their contributions to our franchise and our city,' managing partner Mark Lerner said. 'Our family is eternally grateful for their years of dedication to the organization, including their roles in bringing a World Series trophy to Washington, D.C. While we are appreciative of their past successes, the on-field performance has not been where we or our fans expect it to be. This is a pivotal time for our Club, and we believe a fresh approach and new energy is the best course of action for our team moving forward.' Rizzo's cause wasn't helped by either the apathy or unwillingness of management to invest in both capital improvements around the franchise along with free agent impact additions. Now, it will be a new regime shaping a fresh vision from the executive branch for the first time in almost two decades.
