MLB Home Run Derby 2025: Results, Winner, and Best Moments
If you love the sound of a wood bat hitting a baseball, you are in the right place! The mlb home run derby 2025 was one of the most exciting nights in baseball history. Held at the beautiful Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia, this event brought together the scariest power hitters in the game. Fans filled the seats with gloves in hand, hoping to catch a souvenir. The energy was electric as the sun went down and the lights came up for the Midsummer Classic festivities.
This year was special because we saw some fresh faces and incredible rookie talent. Whether you watched it live on ESPN or missed the action, I am here to break down everything that happened. From massive 500-foot moonshots to a nail-biting finish, the mlb home run derby 2025 did not disappoint. Let’s dive into the details of who stepped up to the plate and who walked away with the trophy.
The Full 2025 Derby Stats Table
To give you a quick look at the action, I built this table showing how each slugger performed. It tracks every round of the mlb home run derby 2025 so you can see the path to victory.
| Player Name | Team | Round 1 | Semifinals | Finals | Total HRs |
| Cal Raleigh | Mariners | 17* | 19 | 18 | 54 |
| Junior Caminero | Rays | 21 | 8 | 15 | 44 |
| Oneil Cruz | Pirates | 21 | 13 | — | 34 |
| Byron Buxton | Twins | 20 | 7 | — | 27 |
| Brent Rooker | Athletics | 17 | — | — | 17 |
| James Wood | Nationals | 16 | — | — | 16 |
| Matt Olson | Braves | 15 | — | — | 15 |
| Jazz Chisholm Jr. | Yankees | 3 | — | — | 3 |
A Historic Victory for “Big Dumper”
The biggest story of the mlb home run derby 2025 was Cal Raleigh. Known by fans as “Big Dumper,” the Seattle Mariners catcher did something no other catcher has ever done. He won the whole thing! It was a family affair, too. His dad was the one throwing the pitches, and his brother was behind the plate catching for him. Seeing that family bond on the big stage was truly heartwarming and a great example of why we love this sport.
Raleigh’s win wasn’t easy. He actually struggled a bit in the first round and almost didn’t make it through. He tied with Brent Rooker, but because Raleigh hit a ball just one inch further, he moved on. That is the magic of the mlb home run derby 2025—every single inch matters. Once he got past that scare, he looked unstoppable in the later rounds.
The Young Guns Bring the Heat
While the veterans usually get the spotlight, the mlb home run derby 2025 was all about the youth. Junior Caminero, the 22-year-old star from the Tampa Bay Rays, put on a show in the first round. He launched 21 homers, proving that the next generation of baseball is in good hands. Even though he lost to Raleigh in the finals, Caminero gained thousands of new fans with his easy power and big smile.
Another standout was James Wood from the Washington Nationals. Even though he didn’t make the semifinals, seeing a player of his size swing the bat was a sight to behold. These young players use “launch angle” and “exit velocity” to turn routine fly balls into home runs. The mlb home run derby 2025 showed that you don’t need to be a veteran to dominate the highlight reels.
Oneil Cruz and the 500-Foot Club
Oneil Cruz of the Pittsburgh Pirates provided the most “wow” moment of the night. During his first-round set, he crushed a ball that traveled an incredible 513 feet! The crowd at the mlb home run derby 2025 went absolutely wild. When a ball goes that far, it doesn’t even look real. It looks like something out of a video game.
Cruz has some of the highest exit velocities ever recorded by Statcast. Watching him in the mlb home run derby 2025 was a treat because he makes hitting look so effortless. Even though he ran out of gas in the semifinals against Raleigh, his 513-foot blast will be remembered for a very long time. It was easily the longest home run of the entire competition.
New Rules to Keep the Pace
Did you notice the players weren’t as tired this year? That is because the mlb home run derby 2025 used new rules. Instead of just a ticking clock, there was also a pitch limit. In the first round, players had 3 minutes or 40 pitches—whichever came first. This change was made to stop pitchers from throwing balls as fast as they could, which used to make the batters very exhausted.
The new format worked great! It allowed the hitters to take a breath and really focus on driving the ball. In the semifinals and finals of the mlb home run derby 2025, the limit was lowered to 2 minutes or 27 pitches. This kept the action fast but also made it more about skill than just physical endurance. I think these “Helpful Content” updates to the rules made the broadcast much better to watch.
Hometown Hero: Matt Olson
The Atlanta fans had a lot to cheer for because their own Matt Olson was in the mix. Olson stepped in to replace his injured teammate, Ronald Acuña Jr. Even though he didn’t win the mlb home run derby 2025, the “Chopping” crowd gave him the loudest ovation of the night. It is always special when a player gets to compete in front of his home fans during All-Star week.
Olson hit 15 home runs, which is a great number, but the competition was just too stiff this year. However, his presence added a lot of “Experience” and “Trustworthiness” to the event for the local Georgia fans. Seeing a familiar face in the mlb home run derby 2025 lineup made the night feel even more like a celebration for the city of Atlanta.
The Bonus Period Drama
One of the coolest parts of the mlb home run derby 2025 is the bonus period. After the regular time runs out, players get to keep hitting until they record three “outs.” An out is any swing that isn’t a home run. If they hit a ball over 425 feet during this time, they get a fourth out! This adds a lot of strategy to the game.
During the final round of the mlb home run derby 2025, Cal Raleigh used his bonus period perfectly. He was trailing Junior Caminero but managed to knock out several clutch homers once the clock stopped. It’s that “never give up” attitude that helps players rank No. 1 in the standings. The bonus period is where champions are truly made.
Why Truist Park Was the Perfect Host
Truist Park is known for being a hitter-friendly stadium, and it proved that during the mlb home run derby 2025. The air in Atlanta during July is warm and humid, which helps the ball carry much further. This stadium has a great layout that allows fans to see the ball clearly as it flies into the “Chop House” or over the centerfield wall.
The grounds crew did an amazing job making sure the field was ready for the mlb home run derby 2025. From the logos painted on the grass to the flashy trophies on display, everything looked perfect. Hosting the All-Star Game and the Derby is a huge task, and Atlanta handled it with class. It was a great night for the city and for the sport of baseball.
Looking Ahead to Next Year
As the curtains close on the mlb home run derby 2025, we are already thinking about 2026! Who will be the next breakout star? Will Cal Raleigh return to defend his title? The Derby always leaves us wanting more. It is a reminder of why we love the “Midsummer Classic” and the pure joy of watching a ball fly over a fence.
If you enjoyed the mlb home run derby 2025, make sure to keep following your favorite players throughout the second half of the season. The power we saw in Atlanta is just a preview of the home run races we will see in the playoffs. Baseball is in a great place right now, and the talent level is higher than ever!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who won the mlb home run derby 2025? Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners won the title, defeating Junior Caminero in the final round.
2. Where was the mlb home run derby 2025 held? The event took place at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia, which is the home of the Atlanta Braves.
3. What was the longest home run in the 2025 Derby? Oneil Cruz hit the longest blast of the night, measuring a staggering 513 feet.
4. How many catchers have won the Home Run Derby? Cal Raleigh became the first catcher in MLB history to ever win the Home Run Derby in 2025.
5. What were the new rule changes for the 2025 Derby? The 2025 event introduced pitch limits (40 in the first round, 27 in later rounds) alongside the traditional timer to help players stay fresh.
6. Who did Matt Olson replace in the lineup? Matt Olson replaced his Atlanta Braves teammate, Ronald Acuña Jr., who was unable to participate due to injury.
Conclusion
The mlb home run derby 2025 was a masterclass in power and family. From Cal Raleigh’s historic win with his dad on the mound to Oneil Cruz’s 513-foot rocket, there was something for every fan to love. It showed that baseball is changing with new rules and younger stars, but the core excitement remains the same.
What was your favorite moment from the mlb home run derby 2025? Did you expect a catcher to take home the crown? Let us know your thoughts and who you want to see in the lineup next year!