The 2025 home run derby is held tonight at 7 p.m. as part of the 2025 Atlanta All-Star Celebration. Eight areas include…
According to MLB.com, this is the format:
In the first round, eight players have three minutes or 40 courts, whichever comes first, to hit as many home runs as possible. Each player’s reward period has a continuous reward time until they record three outs (any swing that won’t result in a home run during this period). If the player hits at least 425 feet of home run during the bonus period, that period is within the bonus period until the player extends a quarter of the record.
The top four home runs totaled to the semifinals. If the first round draw, the player who scored the longest home run in the round progression.
In the semi-finals, the format shifted to “knockout style”, 1st place, 4th and 2nd and 3rd. The seeds are only dependent on the number of home runs each player hit in the first round. Players will have two minutes or 27 goals in the semi-finals and finals, and the total home runs in the first round will not end.
The tie in the semi-final or final is broken by a three-straight wave of “swing” until there is a winner.
The winner of the two semi-finals entered the final, where the limit would be reduced to 27 minutes. The player with the most home runs after that period was crowned the home run derby champion.
Last note: Each batsman has a 45-second timeout for each period of three statutory periods, but cannot make a call during the bonus period or in the finals. ”
According to Yahoo Sports, $2.5mm will be sold as a bonus. The winner receives a 1mm bonus, runner-up $750k. The rest of the money will be shared among other participants. Last year’s champion was Teoscar Hernández Dodgers, but he did not defend his title. He spent some time at Illinois State University in May and didn’t want to risk causing harm. He also fouled a ball here in July and missed several games.
Of the eight participants this year, Olson was the only one with derby experience. Ronald Akunia Jr. Originally it was a lineup representing the home team, but he was grabbed by some back tights, so Olson stepped in. In 2021, Olson hit 23 home runs in the first round but was eliminated Trey ManciniAt the age of 24, the format of that year was in the front bracket style. He has 276 professional home runs in the regular season, including 17 this year.
Olson should be a favorite in his hometown, but Buxton may also have some support since growing up in Georgia. Per of Pioneer Press, Buxton’s son was very excited to bring him a towel and Gatorade during the event. Buxton has 154 professional home runs, including 21 so far in 2025.
Raleigh has had 38 home runs in the Monster season. The main receiver’s record for most home runs in a season is El Salvador Perez With 48, Raleigh worked hard to destroy this. Raleigh’s previous career high was his 34 home runs last year, so he’s already eclipsed before the break.
Chisholm has spent some time on the IL, but has 17 home runs in just 65 games this year. Cruz has only 16 this year, but his Statcast stats aren’t on the charts, so his stuff may play a role in the derby setup. Rooker hit 30 home runs in 2023, 39 last year and has already had 20 home runs this year. Both Caminero and Wood are participating in the full major league season for the first time. Caminero has 23 home runs and 24 wood.
These are two polls for MLBTR readers, the first one asking who you want to win the derby and the second one asking who you think will win.
Photo courtesy of Kevin Jairaj, image
