The 2025 MLB Home Run Derby takes place Monday, July 14 at 8:00 PM ET at Truist Park in Atlanta
Cal Raleigh leads the eight-man field with 38 home runs, while seven participants make their Derby debuts
Find the complete list of Home Run Derby participants, start time details, and expert betting predictions below
The 2025 MLB Home Run Derby returns to Atlanta for the first time since 2000, with the T-Mobile Home Run Derby scheduled for Monday, July 14 at Truist Park. Eight sluggers will compete for the crown, including Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, who enters with a historic 38 home runs.
Seven of the eight Home Run Derby participants make their debuts this year. The mix of established stars and rising phenoms makes this one of the most interesting lineups we’ve seen in a while.
Let’s dive into the full Home Run Derby roster, details on how to watch, and some expert betting picks that could give you an edge.
2025 MLB Home Run Derby Participants
There will be a unique mix of raw power and new faces at the Derby. Raleigh’s 38 bombs lead all catchers at the All-Star break in baseball history. He’s looking to become the first backstop ever to win the event.
Complete Derby Field
| Player | Team | 2025 HRs | Notable Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cal Raleigh | Seattle Mariners | 38 | MLB leader, most by catcher at ASB ever |
| James Wood | Washington Nationals | 24 | 22 years old, 451-foot longest HR |
| Junior Caminero | Tampa Bay Rays | 23 | 22 years old, Derby debut |
| Byron Buxton | Minnesota Twins | 21 | 479-foot longest HR in field |
| Brent Rooker | Oakland Athletics | 20 | First A’s player since Olson (2021) |
| Jazz Chisholm Jr. | New York Yankees | 17 | Switch-hitter, Derby debut |
| Matt Olson | Atlanta Braves | 17 | Only returning Derby participant |
| Oneil Cruz | Pittsburgh Pirates | 16 | 122.9 mph max exit velocity |
The hometown crowd gets their guy after all. Matt Olson replaced Ronald Acuña Jr., who withdrew with back tightness. The Braves’ first baseman becomes the only participant with previous Derby experience.
Wood and Caminero could make history at just 22 years old. Either would become the youngest Derby winner ever. But don’t sleep on Cruz’s freakish power metrics. His 122.9 mph exit velocity is the hardest-hit ball in the Statcast era.
What Time is the MLB Home Run Derby?
| Event Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | Monday, July 14, 2025 |
| Start Time | 8:00 PM ET |
| Venue | Truist Park, Atlanta, Georgia |
| TV Coverage | ESPN and ESPN2 |
| Streaming | ESPN.com, MLB.com, MLB.tv, fubo |
Mark your calendars. The Derby kicks off at 8:00 PM ET sharp on Monday night, serving as the traditional appetizer before Tuesday’s All-Star Game.
ESPN broadcasts the event for the 31st and final time. Yes, you read that right. It’s the end of an era. The three-round format features time limits and bonus periods, with the top four from Round One advancing to the semis. Simple enough.
2025 Home Run Derby Expert Predictions
Best Bet: Oneil Cruz to Win (+350 at BetMGM)
Let’s talk about value. Cruz at +350 is a gift.
The Pirates slugger doesn’t just hit baseballs hard. He absolutely demolishes them. His 122.9 mph rocket remains the hardest-hit ball ever tracked. Ever. Plus, he’s generated six of the ten balls this season that cleared 118 mph. Nobody else comes close.
His average exit velocity of 96.1 mph and MLB-leading bat speed make for the perfect Derby recipe. Cruz is 6 feet 7 inches tall, which gives him an advantage that most hitters would love to have. The controlled Derby setting gets rid of his biggest weakness (strikeouts don’t matter here), which lets his raw power shine.
Longest Home Run: Oneil Cruz (+170 at FanDuel)
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOKOffer
T&Cs
Bet $5, Get $250 If Your Bet Wins!
Must be 21+. T&C Apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Offer not available in AR.
LOCK IN PROMO
SIGNUP PROMO
BET $5
GET $250IF YOUR BET WINS!
BET NOW
Same player, different prop. Makes perfect sense.
Cruz launched a 463-footer this season (second-longest in the field) and previously crushed one 472 feet. Combine that distance potential with his record-breaking exit velocity, and you’ve got your longest homer candidate.
The Derby’s batting practice environment plays right into his hands. No breaking balls, perfect pitch location, maximum launch conditions. At +170, this feels like stealing.
Semifinal Value: James Wood to Reach Semis (-140 at DraftKings)
DRAFTKINGS SPORTSBOOKOffer
T&Cs
Sign Up Today & Receive Up to
$1,050 in Bonuses!
GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY).
Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Void in ONT/OR/NH. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new customer. Must register new account to receive reward Token. Must select Token BEFORE placing min. $5 bet to receive $300 in Bonus Bets if your bet wins. Min. -500 odds req. Token and Bonus Bets are single-use and non-withdrawable. Token expires 2/1/26. Bonus Bets expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. Ends 1/25/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.
LOCK IN PROMO
SIGNUP PROMO
SIGN UP
& GET $1,050BONUS BETS + DEPOSIT BONUS
GET PROMO
DraftKings missed the memo on Wood’s semifinal price. They’re offering -140 while everyone else sits around -160. Take the gift.
Wood’s power metrics scream semifinalist. He sits in the 97th percentile for both average exit velocity (93.6 mph) and barrel rate (18.5%). The kid leads the entire Derby field in average homer distance at 411 feet. That’s consistency you can bank on.
JAMES WOOD DERBY DAY pic.twitter.com/suujCn8hqy
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) July 14, 2025
Plus, the 6-foot-7 lefty gets Truist Park’s shorter right field porch. His path to the top four looks wide open. This -140 line won’t last long once sharp money finds it.
The bottom line is the 2025 Derby sets up perfectly for upsets. Cruz’s otherworldly power makes him a good bet for both props, but my favorite value is Wood’s semifinal advancement at DraftKings’ price.
BETMGM SPORTSBOOKUSE CODE SBD1500 TO GET UP TO $1,500 PAID BACK
CLAIM OFFER
BET365 SPORTSBOOKBET $10 & GET $200 IN BONUS BETS WITH CODE DIME365
CLAIM OFFER
THESCORE BET SPORTSBOOKUSE CODE DIME TO GET 100% BET RESET UP TO $1,000
CLAIM OFFER
DRAFTKINGS SPORTSBOOKBET $5 & GET $300 IN BONUS BETS IF YOUR BET WINS!
CLAIM OFFER
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOKBET $5 & GET $250 IN BONUS BETS IF YOUR BET WINS!
CLAIM OFFER
CAESARS SPORTSBOOKUSE CODE SBDDYW & DOUBLE YOUR WINNINGS ON YOUR FIRST 10 WAGERS!
CLAIM OFFER
FANATICS SPORTSBOOKGET 100% BET MATCH UP TO $100 FOR 10 DAYS
CLAIM OFFER
DRAFTKINGS T&Cs: GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/PR/WY). Void in NH/OR/ONT/PR. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new DraftKings Sportsbook customer. Must register new account to receive reward Token. Must select Token BEFORE placing min. $5 bet to receive $300 in Bonus Bets if your bet wins. Min. -500 odds req. Token and Bonus Bets are single-use and non-withdrawable. Bet must settle by and Token expires 5/3/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Bonus Bets expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. Ends 4/26/26 at 11:59 PM ET.
BET365 SPORTSBOOK T&Cs: GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL OR TEXT 1-800-GAMBLER (AZ/CO/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA/MD/MO/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA) or 1-800-BETS OFF (IA). 21+ only (18+ KY). Must be present in AZ/CO/IA/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA (select parishes)/MD/MO/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA. Minimum $10 deposit required. Minimum odds -500 of greater. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. T&CS, time limits and exclusions apply.
BETMGM T&Cs: Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US), Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. This promotional offer is not available in DC, MS, NY, NV, ON, or PR.