2025 Home Run Derby: Five sluggers we want to see debut and hit dingers

USA Today

5 hours ago

Major League Baseball's annual celebration of longballs is fast approaching, with the 2025 Home Run Derby set for Monday, July 14 at Truist Park in Atlanta and sluggers dreaming of joining the exclusive list of winners.
This year's participants are not yet official, but a handful of stars are already voicing their desire to swing for the fences. While we should expect some veterans in the field like two-time winner Pete Alonso, the Home Run Derby can be a showcase for the game's up-and-coming young hitters.
There was a stretch in the 21st century where a lot of top players would shy away from taking part, largely due to a long-running fear of the "Home Run Derby Curse" and the notion that the contest can negatively impact your swing long-term. The data is still out that on that.
But that's changed in recent years, with young players eager to put on a show – even if they aren't pure home run hitters.
Here's a look at five rising sluggers we want to see make their Home Run Derby debuts in Atlanta:
Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners
Could "The Big Dumper" become the first catcher to win the Home Run Derby?
Leading the majors with 32 homers, Raleigh should smash Salvador Perez's single-season record for catchers and is on pace to top Aaron Judge's American League record 62 homers. Seattle's 28-year-old backstop already counts Johnny Bench among his biggest fans and told USA TODAY Sports he'd jump at the chance to participate in the Derby if he were invited: "Why wouldn't you want to do something like that?"
As of June 24, the Mariners still have 19 games left before the All-Star break and Raleigh has a chance to become just the seventh player in history to reach 35 in the first half.
James Wood, Washington Nationals
One of the tallest players in baseball at 6-foot-7, Washington's 22-year-old slugger is tied for third in baseball with 12 "no-doubters" – homers that would be gone in all 30 stadiums according to Baseball Savant. Wood is averaging 415 feet per home run, second among all players with at least 13 homers entering play on June 23.
'I mean, it's been brought up,' Wood told reporters about his potential participation. 'But I mean, I don't know. We'll see. That'd be cool if I'm invited. So let's try to get that first.'
Said Wood: 'I've heard all of it. Like, 'It'll mess up your swing.' But I'm sure there's a whole lot of stuff it's good for. ... 'You're taking as many swings as you can in, like, 2½ minutes. That's a lot.'
Elly De La Cruz, Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati's unicorn shortstop has declined to participate the past two years, but hinted in 2024 that his time would come eventually.
'It's not my time to do it yet,' De La Cruz told reporters last season. 'It's too many swings, and I want to rest on those days,' he said, having talked with other Dominican players who participated in the past.
The 23-year-old has 18 home runs in 79 games, on track to blow past the 25 he hit as a first-time All-Star last year.
Said De La Cruz's agent Scott Boras in 2024: 'I guess it'll happen someday. ... Elly is an athlete. The Home Run Derby requires a visceral strength to repeat something which is very different than being an elite baseball player.
'Like Pete Alonso (of the Mets) and those kind of guys with those kind of bodies and strength, you can understand why they can endure a home run contest.'
Andy Pages, Los Angeles Dodgers
In his second year, Los Angeles' 24-year-old outfielder overcame a slow start and has hit .330 with 14 homers and 47 RBIs in 55 games from April 22-June 22. His 16 home runs are second on the Dodgers behind Shohei Ohtani and he's playing his way into consideration for a spot on the All-Star team – managed by Los Angeles skipper Dave Roberts.
Junior Caminero, Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay's 21-year-old third baseman has found his power stroke in his first full season, clubbing 19 homers through 73 games in 2025, quickly becoming one of the top young hitters in the game.
He's also totally down for the Derby, which has never been won by a Rays player.
"If I get selected, and they give me the opportunity, yes," Caminero said in an appearance on Foul Territory. "I'm not going to say that I'm going to win, but I'm going to put on a great show for the fans, and it's going to be entertaining."
The biggest stories, every morning. Stay up-to-date on all the key sports developments by subscribing to USA TODAY Sports' newsletter.