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2025 Home Run Derby Recap: Round-by-Round Highlights From Atlanta

USA NEWS TODAY
15 Jul, 2025



The 2025 T-Mobile Home Run Derby lit up Atlanta’s Truist Park with a spectacular display of power hitting, streamed live on ESPN. With eight of baseball’s biggest sluggers going head-to-head, the stage was set for an unforgettable night — and one thing was guaranteed: a brand-new champion would be crowned.

Let’s dive into the round-by-round breakdown and key moments from this summer’s ultimate slugfest.

🏟️ Semifinals Matchups

  • Junior Caminero vs. Byron Buxton
  • Oneil Cruz vs. Cal Raleigh

⚾ Round 1: Who Advanced and Who Went Home?

❌ Matt Olson — Eliminated

Home Runs: 15
Atlanta’s own Matt Olson had the crowd behind him, but a slow start cost him dearly. He went homerless through his first nine swings before finding his rhythm. Despite launching 15 total homers, it wasn’t enough to advance.

  • Longest HR: 460 ft
  • Hardest Hit: 109 mph
  • Average Distance: 415 ft
  • Average Exit Velocity: 105 mph

✅ Cal Raleigh — Advanced

Home Runs: 17
Seattle’s switch-hitting catcher made history by flipping sides at the plate not once but twice. After tying Brent Rooker at 17, Raleigh advanced thanks to a tiebreaker — his longest homer traveled a fraction farther.

  • Longest HR: 471 ft
  • Hardest Hit: 112 mph
  • Average Distance: 430 ft
  • Average Exit Velocity: 106.7 mph

❌ Jazz Chisholm Jr. — Eliminated

Home Runs: 3
Despite experience in the “Don’t Blink” Derby back in the Bahamas, Chisholm couldn’t find his swing under MLB’s bright lights. His three homers were the lowest first-round total under the current timed format (since 2015).

  • Longest HR: 453 ft
  • Hardest Hit: 107 mph
  • Average Distance: 421 ft
  • Average Exit Velocity: 105.7 mph

✅ Byron Buxton — Advanced

Home Runs: 20
Fresh off hitting for the cycle over the weekend, Buxton brought high-flying fireworks to the Derby. He hit 7 homers in the final minute and four more in bonus time to cap a strong round.

  • Longest HR: 466 ft
  • Hardest Hit: 112 mph
  • Average Distance: 427 ft
  • Average Exit Velocity: 106.3 mph

✅ Oneil Cruz — Advanced

Home Runs: 21
Cruz put on a show — including a jaw-dropping 513-foot homer that tied Aaron Judge’s non-Coors Field record. With an average of 447 feet per dinger, the Pirates slugger proved why he’s one of the most dangerous hitters in baseball.

  • Longest HR: 513 ft
  • Hardest Hit: 118 mph
  • Average Distance: 447 ft
  • Average Exit Velocity: 111 mph

🧨 Record Watch: That 513-foot shot tied for the fourth-longest in Derby history since Statcast tracking began in 2016 (non-Coors Field)!

✅ Junior Caminero — Advanced

Home Runs: 21
Caminero was in full control. The Rays third baseman launched nearly every ball to left field, topping out at 475 feet and swinging a bat featuring his own likeness — yes, really!

  • Longest HR: 475 ft
  • Hardest Hit: 117 mph
  • Average Distance: 442 ft
  • Average Exit Velocity: 107.5 mph

❌ Brent Rooker — Eliminated

Home Runs: 17
Rooker came out red-hot, hitting 8 homers in his first 9 swings. But the momentum cooled until bonus time, where he added three more to reach 17. He just barely missed advancing on a tiebreaker.

  • Longest HR: 471 ft
  • Hardest Hit: 112 mph
  • Average Distance: 428 ft
  • Average Exit Velocity: 106.1 mph

❌ James Wood — Eliminated

Home Runs: 16
The Nationals rookie found his groove late, crushing six of his last eight swings. One of his shots — 486 feet — was the longest in a non-Coors Derby since 2019.

  • Longest HR: 486 ft
  • Hardest Hit: 112 mph
  • Average Distance: 435 ft
  • Average Exit Velocity: 106 mph

📈 Stat Leaders of Round 1:

Player Longest HR Hardest Hit HR Total
Oneil Cruz 513 ft 118 mph 21
Junior Caminero 475 ft 117 mph 21
Byron Buxton 466 ft 112 mph 20
Cal Raleigh 471 ft 112 mph 17

🔔 What’s Next?

With the semifinals underway, the energy in Atlanta is sky-high. Can Cruz keep up his historic pace? Will Caminero or Buxton surge ahead? Follow the action live on ESPN or keep up with every swing on the MLB Derby Tracker.

📰 Related Reads

👉 Stay tuned for more updates and full coverage of the 2025 All-Star Week at MLB.com.


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