Oneil Cruz will participate in the 2025 Home Run Derby at Truist Park on July 14. He is the seventh Pirates player to compete, following notable names like Barry Bonds and Andrew McCutchen. Cruz leads the Pirates with 16 home runs this season and is on track for a potential 30-30 season. His impressive 96.1 mph average exit velocity establishes him as a strong contender. Other participants confirmed include Ronald Acuña Jr. and Cal Raleigh, while defending champion Teoscar Hernández and Shohei Ohtani will not participate.
Oneil Cruz announced he is going to compete in the 2025 Home Run Derby at Truist Park on Monday, July 14, marking his debut in the event.
Cruz leads the Pirates with 16 home runs and 28 stolen bases, putting him on track to join Barry Bonds as the only players in franchise history to post a 30-30 campaign.
With an average exit velocity of 96.1 mph, Cruz is a prime Home Run Derby candidate, having hit the hardest ball recorded since Statcast began tracking.
Current confirmed participants alongside Cruz for the Derby include Ronald Acuña Jr., Cal Raleigh, James Wood, Byron Buxton, and Junior Caminero.
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