The 2025 Home Run Derby, to take place July 14 at Truist Park just outside of Atlanta, is still in the early stages of setting its field. However, the fledgling bracket already has a pair of big names attached to it.
The first player to declare, hometown star Ronald Acuna Jr., is sure to be the most popular player of the night. However, Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, colloquially referred to as ‘Big Dumper,’ has had a torrid first half of the season and is looking to become the first catcher to win the derby and the first switch hitter to win it undisputed.
As with every year in the Home Run Derby, however, there have been some notable declinations. The past two winners − the Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernandez − will not participate in this year’s iteration. Two-way star Shohei Ohtani also will not compete, stating ‘the current rules are tough. I don’t think there’s a chance,’ per Bleacher Report.
USA TODAY Sports is tracking which players will be in the 2025 Home Run Derby, with updates as well below.
Who is in 2025 Home Run Derby?
The 2025 Home Run Derby currently has two players in the mix: Braves star Ronald Acuna and Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, who has stolen the national spotlight with 32 home runs through June 28.
Here’s the list as it continues to grow, along with how many seasons and career home runs they have so far.
- Ronald Acuna Jr., Atlanta Braves OF (9 HR in 2025, 174 career)
- Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners C (32 HR in 2025, 125 career)
Latest Home Run Derby participant updates
This section will be updated as players accept, decline invitations
Who won Home Run Derby 2024?
The Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernandez will be passing off the Home Run Derby crown. The Dodgers slugger eked out a win over the Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. with 14 home runs in the final round, one more than Witt’s 13. Witt, finished with one more homer for the overall event, hitting 50 to Hernandez’s 49.
Hernandez, however, will not be returning, saying his attention is on a Dodgers World Series repeat in 2025.
“I was considering it at the beginning, but not right now,’ Hernandez told AM 570 LA Sports on June 27. ‘I think I’m not going to do it this year. Maybe next year. Because last year, when I finished the Home Run Derby, I was a little tired, tight. My body was a little tired, and with the injury that I had with my groin this year, I don’t want to put anything at risk. So I’m going to stay put and not participate this year.”
Elly De La Cruz declines Home Run Derby invite
In addition to Hernandez and Ohtani, another major name has declined an invite to Atlanta. Reds wunderkind shortstop Elly De La Cruz will not participate, but the door isn’t closed for the future.
“The time is going to come,” he said, per The Cincinnati Enquirer, part of the USA TODAY network. “But not now.”
