On July 14, 2025, some of the best power hitters across Major League Baseball will participate in the annual Home Run Derby. Between the potential heat as well as the favorable elevation, this has the potential to be a special one. And, we’re now starting to learn who will be in the 2025 Home Run Derby, as the league has begun to reveal participants.
List of players in 2025 Home Run Derby
Here’s the list of confirmed participants for the 2025 MLB Home Run Derby:
| Name | Team | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Braves | OF | |
| Byron Buxton | Twins | OF |
| Junior Caminero | Rays | 3B |
| Jazz Chisholm Jr. | Yankees | 2B/3B |
| Oneil Cruz | Pirates | OF |
| Cal Raleigh | Mariners | C |
| Brent Rooker | Athletics | DH |
| Matt Olson | Braves | 1B |
| James Wood | Nationals | OF |
The hometown team will have a home run star in the Derby — but not the one who was originally scheduled to participate.
Ronald Acuna Jr. was supposed to represent the Braves, who will host the 2025 All-Star Game, in the Home Run Derby. He was the first individual to confirm his participation on June 25.
Acuna Jr. is no stranger to hitting home runs. The 27-year-old hit 41 home runs twice (2018, 2023) in one season during his career. And over the last month, Acuna Jr. — who started 2025 on the injured list — has been on a tear.
Through his first 29 games, Acuna Jr. slashed .385/.496/.692 (1.188 OPS) with 14 extra-base hits.
He’s also no stranger to the Derby, in general. Acuna Jr. participated in 2019 & 2022.
However, Acuna Jr. pulled out on July 11. Replacing him is Braves first baseman and Georgia native Matt Olson. Olson, the team leader in home runs (17) as of this writing, participated in the 2021 derby in Colorado.
As we move closer and closer to the All-Star Game, we found who else joined the event and, potentially, join Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Teoscar Hernandez as recent winners of the event.
On June 27, Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh confirmed he will participate in the annual event. Raleigh, as of the 27th, was the Majors’ leader in home runs (32).
James Wood, on July 3, confirmed on social media he would be in the Home Run Derby. Wood was seventh in the Majors with 22 home runs as of the announcement. He is a first-time participant.
The fourth individual to confirm his participation was Byron Buxton of the Twins, on July 7. One day later, Pirates outfielder Oneil Cruz was added to the list. As of July 8, Cruz is the only one of the confirmed entrants not on an All-Star team.
Rounding out the field of eight are Brent Rooker, Junior Caminero, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. Chisholm Jr. was the last announced participant, as his name was added on July 10.
As for who won’t be in the event, Aaron Judge maintained in the past he wouldn’t compete it in until the festivities are held in Yankee Stadium again. However, it’s unknown where the MLB All-Star Game will be held in 2027 and beyond (the 2026 one is in Philadelphia).
Additionally, Pete Alonso confirmed he will take the extra day of rest and not participate. He declined an invitation, marking the first time he won’t be in the Home Run Derby since he was promoted to the Majors in 2019.
Check out more of our MLB coverage, including a look at how to vote for 2025 All-Star Game participants.