Home Run Derby 2025: When and where to watch the showdown tonight
When is the Home Run Derby 2025?
The marquee event will begin at 8 PM Eastern Time on Monday, July 14, with live coverage on ESPN, ESPN.com, MLB.com, and MLB.tv. The Derby serves as the prelude to the annual MLB All-Star Game, offering fans a blend of athleticism, showmanship, and fierce competition, as per a report by Fox Sports.
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Who's Swinging for the Fences This Year?
Eight players will compete in this year's Home Run Derby, featuring both first-time participants and returning faces. The confirmed list includes:
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Byron Buxton (Minnesota Twins) – 21 HR
Junior Caminero (Tampa Bay Rays) – 23 HR
Jazz Chisholm Jr. (New York Yankees) – 17 HR
Oneil Cruz (Pittsburgh Pirates) – 16 HR
Matt Olson (Atlanta Braves) – 17 HR
Cal Raleigh (Seattle Mariners) – 38 HR
Brent Rooker (Oakland Athletics) – 20 HR
James Wood (Washington Nationals) – 24 HR
While the field is packed with talent, seven of the eight participants will be making their Derby debut, with Matt Olson entering as a late replacement for Atlanta's Ronald Acuña Jr.
Several notable sluggers have declined invitations this year, including:
Pete Alonso (New York Mets)
Kyle Schwarber (Philadelphia Phillies)
Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Dodgers)
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Toronto Blue Jays)
Aaron Judge (New York Yankees)
Elly De La Cruz (Cincinnati Reds)
Revised Format for 2025 Home Run Derby
In a significant change this year, the traditional bracket-style knockout format has been tweaked. Instead of immediate eliminations, all eight participants will compete in the first round, with the top four home run hitters progressing to the semifinals. The seeding in the latter stages will be based on the number of home runs hit in the opening round.
Additional rules include:
Three-minute rounds for the first two stages; two minutes in the final.
45-second timeout permitted in each round (excluding bonus time).
60-second swing-offs to resolve any ties in semifinals or final.
A new pitch limit has been introduced to avoid overly extended rounds.
The longest home run of the round will be used as a tiebreaker in the early stage.
Winning Odds and Fan Favorites
According to the latest odds, Cal Raleigh is the current favorite, followed by Oneil Cruz and James Wood . Raleigh, who leads the majors in home runs this season, is expected to draw attention, though experts remain cautious due to several factors.
Notably, no catcher has ever won the Home Run Derby in its 38-year history, and Raleigh has only had limited experience at Truist Park. He also enters the Derby amid a slump, batting just .107 in July, raising questions about fatigue as the season wears on.
A Look Back at the 2024 Derby
In last year's edition, Teoscar Hernández of the Los Angeles Dodgers emerged victorious, defeating Bobby Witt Jr. 14-13 in the finals. The contest featured stars like Gunnar Henderson, Pete Alonso, and José Ramírez.
Expert Prediction and Word of Caution
Veteran analyst Matt Severance, known for his accurate MLB predictions, advises caution against banking on Raleigh. Highlighting his inexperience at the venue and the added complexity of switch-hitting during the Derby, Severance notes:
'That seems a little complicated.'
He points out that James Wood and Junior Caminero, both aged 22, could be the breakout performers of the evening, especially as they prepare to make their All-Star Game debuts the following night.
FAQs
When is the 2025 Home Run Derby happening?
The Derby will take place on Monday, July 14, 2025, starting at 8:00 PM ET at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia.
Has a catcher ever won the Home Run Derby?
No. In the 38-year history of the Derby, no catcher has won the title. Cal Raleigh would be the first if he emerges victorious.
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