The 2025 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby took place on Monday, July 14, 2025, at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. As the signature power showcase preceding the MLB All-Star Game, the event brought together eight of the league's top sluggers to battle for the trophy. Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh captured the title, defeating Tampa Bay Rays infielder Junior Caminero in the final round with a stellar display of raw power.
Understanding the specifics of the 2025 competition requires looking at the venue, the participant field, and the structural format that shaped the night. Fans tuning into ESPN networks watched an intense three-round tournament that tested stamina, swing consistency, and pitch-selection discipline under pressure.
Venue and Event Schedule
Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves, served as the host stadium for the 2025 Midsummer Classic festivities. Located in Cobb County just northwest of Atlanta, the ballpark offered a hitter-friendly environment known for favorable flight paths during warm summer evenings.
The main event unfolded on July 14, 2025, starting at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Broadcast coverage captured the pre-event ceremonies, including the national anthem performance by Heather Headley, leading straight into the first-round swings.
- Date: July 14, 2025
- Location: Truist Park, Atlanta, Georgia
- Broadcaster: ESPN
- Winner: Cal Raleigh (Seattle Mariners)
The 2025 Contestant Field
Eight sluggers qualified for the 2025 showdown, representing a mix of established power hitters and rising stars. Each participant brought a unique approach to the batter's box, paired with a designated batting practice pitcher who fed them fastballs down the middle.
The initial lineup featured:
- Cal Raleigh (Seattle Mariners)
- Junior Caminero (Tampa Bay Rays)
- Oneil Cruz (Pittsburgh Pirates)
- Byron Buxton (Minnesota Twins)
- Brent Rooker (Oakland Athletics)
- James Wood (Washington Nationals)
- Matt Olson (Atlanta Braves)
- Jazz Chisholm Jr. (New York Yankees)
Local favorite Matt Olson drew massive cheers from the Atlanta crowd, while players like Oneil Cruz and James Wood flashed some of the hardest exit velocities of the night.
Competition Format and Rules
The 2025 contest utilized a traditional three-round structure consisting of an opening round, semifinals, and finals.
In the first round, all eight participants stepped up to hit. Batters received 40 pitches or a maximum of three minutes—whichever milestone hit first—to launch as many home runs as possible. The top four hitters with the most home runs advanced to the semifinals.
Ties during any stage were settled using distance metrics or swing-offs depending on the round. In the final showdown, Cal Raleigh outslugged Junior Caminero 18 to 15, capping off a total of 54 home runs across all three rounds of the evening.
Stat Highlights and Statcast Metrics
Statcast tracking provided precise data on every long ball launched at Truist Park. Power numbers reached impressive heights throughout the cool Atlanta evening.
- Longest Home Run: 471 feet, hit during the early rounds.
- Maximum Exit Velocity: 112 mph recorded off the bat of multiple participants.
- Average Home Run Distance: Approximately 430 feet.
These metrics highlighted the sheer force required to compete against the game's best. Even batters who exited early left fans impressed with the frequency of balls clearing the outfield walls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2025 Home Run Derby?
Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners won the 2025 competition, defeating Junior Caminero in the final round with 18 home runs.
Where was the event hosted?
The contest took place at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia, the home stadium of the Atlanta Braves.
What channel broadcasted the derby?
ESPN televised the event exclusively, marking its final year broadcasting the summer showcase under that specific rights era.
How many players participated?
Eight players qualified for the opening round, with four advancing to the semifinals and two moving on to the final head-to-head matchup.
