Circle Monday, July 14, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN—this year’s derby is taking place at Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves 🔥Axios+2MLB.com+2CBSSports.com+2.

Let’s meet the eight sluggers stepping up to the plate—and dive into how their 2025 seasons have shaped up so far:

Cal Raleigh (C, Seattle Mariners)

• Home Runs: 38, leading all of MLB through July 11 MLB.com+2MLB.com+2CBSSports.com+2Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2CBSSports.com+2

• Overall Season Performance: Batting .226 with a .312 OBP and strong slugging; named an All-Star. Known as one of the premier switch-hitting catchers, he already matched Mariners records by reaching 30+ HR before the break Wikipedia.

Oneil Cruz (CF/SS, Pittsburgh Pirates)

• Home Runs: 15 in 80 games Reuters+1Reuters+1

• Season Snapshot: Although his average is lower (.238), Cruz leads MLB in stolen bases (29) and has unbelievable power—on May 25 he hit the hardest ball ever captured by Statcast at 122.9 mph Reuters+1Wikipedia+1.

James Wood (OF, Washington Nationals)

• Home Runs: 23, tied for 6th in MLB The Washington Post

• Season Highlights: At 22 years old, he's a standout rookie—known for elite exit velocity, leading the league in blasts over 445 feet. He even drew four intentional walks in a single game—once since Bonds in 2004 Wikipedia.

Matt Olson (1B, Atlanta Braves)

• Home Runs: 17 this season Pinstripe Alley+1CBSSports.com+1

• Season Summary: A three-time All-Star and home favorite—Olson hit a career-high 54 HRs in 2023, leads Atlanta power since his return from Sacramento, and joins the derby replacing Ronald Acuña Jr. Reuters+1WSLS+1.

Byron Buxton (OF, Minnesota Twins)

• Home Runs: 20 to date MLB.com+7YouTube+7Wikipedia+7

• Season Rundown: A former MVP known for top-tier defense and speed. Buxton is making his derby debut after overcoming a string of injuries .

Junior Caminero (3B, Tampa Bay Rays)

• Home Runs: 22 in his first full MLB season NBC Sports+2Reuters+2CBSSports.com+2

• Season Snapshot: At 22, Caminero is a breakout star in Tampa Bay—batting alongside a solid RBI total of 58 through 87 games .

Brent Rooker (DH/OF, Oakland A’s)

• Home Runs: 19 with 50 RBIs in 94 games Axios+2Reuters+2Reuters+2

• Season Update: Consistently powerful with 39 HR in 2024 and 30 in 2023, Rooker is the first A’s representative in the derby since Olson 2021 MLB.com+2Reuters+2MLB.com+2.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. (INF, New York Yankees)

• Home Runs: 17 in 61 games (.251/.346/.530 slash with 43 RBI, 10 SB) Diario AS

• Season Recap: After bouncing back from multiple injuries, the flashy Chisholm is hitting over .314 with a 1.011 OPS since his return—bringing serious flair to the derby CBSSports.com+4ESPN.com+4New York Post+4.

🔥 Derby’s Wide Open: Who Will Dominate?

• Cal Raleigh brings massive pop and stands as MLB’s HR leader.

• Oneil Cruz boasts game-changing bat speed and elite base stealing.

• James Wood is the teenage slugger turning heads with long-distance bombs.

• Matt Olson is the hometown slugger in a derby setting on his home field.

• Breakout contenders like Buxton, Caminero, Rooker, and Chisholm each have powerful resumes.

This year's field is stacked with explosive talents—all debuting except Olson and Raleigh—so expect fireworks ⚡

💬 Have Your Say: Who's Going to Dominate?

This derby has it all—power, intrigue, rookies, hometown heroes. Which player do you have your money on? Drop a comment below—will it be Raleigh’s season-long momentum, Cruz’s bat speed, Wood’s freakish power, Olson’s home-field edge, or one of the surprises? Let’s hear it ⚾🔥