Last Updated on July 11, 2025 by Matt Musico
It’s no surprise that I love home runs. So, you better believe that the All-Star week event I’m most looking forward this season to is the 2025 Home Run Derby. It’d be weird if I wasn’t, right?
To properly channel that excitement, I’m collecting information about the event as it becomes available right here.
Related: A Complete Guide to the Best Home Run Derby Performances
Where is the 2025 Home Run Derby?
The Atlanta Braves will play host for the 2025 All-Star Game and All-Star Week activities/events. Truist Park first opened in 2017 and will be hosting its first All-Star Game this summer.
The 2025 Home Run Derby is scheduled for July 14th at 8 p.m. EST.
2025 Home Run Derby Tickets
The Home Run Derby usually airs on ESPN, so it should be easy to watch if you’re not at the ballpark. But if you’re looking for tickets to this cool event, make sure you save up your pennies. Seats aren’t cheap, but there are opportunities to buy some without having to be a millionaire. It’s not like trying to buy tickets for the Super Bowl, ya know.
Interested in seeing what tickets are available to potentially see the Home Run Derby in person? Then check out what’s available with our friends at Vivid Seats.
Who Will Be Participating in the Home Run Derby?
With the All-Star break fast approaching, we’re going to start finding out who will be participating in the HR Derby. MLB typically tries to get as many of the league-leading sluggers into the event as possible. Teoscar Hernandez is the reigning champion, but he’s decided to sit out this year’s event, citing the injury he sustained earlier in the season as a big reason why. Here’s a list of those who have committed to participating:
- Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh will also be joining in on the fun and will have his dad pitching to him.
- Young Washington Nationals star James Wood is currently in his first full big-league season. It’s yielded 22 homers through his first 86 games, as well as a spot in the Derby.
- Pittsburgh Pirates slugger Oneil Cruz is also planning to bring his raw power to the event.
- Twins outfielder Byron Buxton has stayed healthy in 2025, and the results have been noticeable. He’s slugged 20 homers in his first 74 games. The Georgia native will head to Atlanta to join the HRD field.
- Tampa Bay Rays infielder Junior Caminero just celebrated his 22nd birthday on July 5. He’s going to celebrate the occasion by not only heading to his first All-Star Game but also participating in the Home Run Derby.
- Athletics slugger Brent Rooker hit a career-high 39 homers in 2024. He’s slugged 19 through 94 games this season and will bring his talent to the Derby.
- Jazz Chisholm Jr. will round out the field and undoubtedly bring some swag with him in the process.
- Matt Olsonwas a late addition to the field , as he’s taking Ronald Acuña Jr.’s place as the hometown dude.
Here’s What the Format Will Probably Look Like in 2025
Eight hitters will make up the entire Home Run Derby field. It will take three rounds to determine a champion.
All eight sluggers will compete against one another in the first round, with the top four home run totals moving on to the semifinals. That’s where players start facing off head-to-head. The player with the most homers in Round 1 will face the one with the fewest, with the middle two facing off against one another.
Each of the first two rounds will be three minutes long and there are pitch limits involved. A player’s round will finish when his three minutes are up or he’s seen 40 pitches (whichever comes first). Once we get to the finals, each hitter will have two minutes.
This limit doesn’t include the bonus round, which no longer has a time limit. Hitters will get up to three outs within their bonus time to slug dingers. If they hit one at least 425 feet, they’ll get a fourth out.
Each slugger is allowed to use one 45-second timeout. Two tiebreakers are in place. The first is a one-minute at-bat to hit as many homers as possible. If both players are still tied, they’ll have a Swing-Off, where they get three swings each to see if the tie can be broken.
Who Won the 2024 Home Run Derby?
First-time participant Teoscar Hernandez won the 2024 Home Run Derby at Globe Life Field. He defeated Bobby Witt Jr. in the Finals, 14-13.
A Full Rundown of Home Run Derby History
Before the 2025 Home Run Derby gets underway, it’s important to revisit the event’s history by taking a stroll down memory lane. That’s where we come in to help out.
If you’re looking for a complete list of winners, full standings, old formats, and some videos, head right here. I’ve also discussed the best single-round performances, the best single-derby performances, and the all-time Derby home run leaderboard.
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