The MLB Residence Run Derby is coming to Atlanta on Monday evening, and this 12 months’s area is stacked with a few of the most explosive energy hitters in baseball. We’re speaking about guys who can launch baseballs into orbit, create jaw-dropping moments, and placed on the type of present that makes ESPN spotlight reels for years to come back.
Eight sluggers will step into the batter’s field at Truist Park, every bringing their very own distinctive mix of uncooked energy, approach, and confidence. From the hometown alternative hero to the catcher having one of many biggest first halves in baseball historical past, this Derby has all of the components for a completely legendary evening of lengthy balls.
Cal Raleigh is having the season of all seasons
The Seattle Mariners catcher has been completely demolishing baseballs all season lengthy, main the majors with 36 dwelling runs whereas enjoying one of the demanding positions in sports activities. Raleigh is having one of many biggest slugging first halves in MLB historical past, crushing errors at a price that has opposing pitchers terrified to throw him something within the strike zone.
His energy profile is completely good for the Derby format. Raleigh ranks within the 87th percentile in common exit velocity and delivers the ball on the optimum dwelling run launch angle of 23 levels. That mixture of energy and precision may translate into an absolute barrage of baseballs flying out of Truist Park.
The largest concern is stamina – he’s a catcher who has performed in all however one recreation this season, and the Derby is as a lot about endurance as it’s about energy. No catcher has ever received the Residence Run Derby, with solely Ivan Rodriguez reaching the finals again in 2005. But when anybody can break that streak, it’s Raleigh in the course of this historic marketing campaign.
James Wooden has the instruments to steal the present
The Washington Nationals outfielder is likely to be probably the most intriguing participant on this 12 months’s area. Wooden ranks within the 97th percentile in common exit velocity and 99th percentile in hard-hit price, which suggests he can muscle balls out of the park even when he doesn’t make good contact.
At 6-foot-7 with unbelievable pure energy, Wooden has the type of bodily instruments that Derby legends are fabricated from. His 451-foot blast earlier this season exhibits the type of distance he can generate, and keep in mind that Aaron Choose received the Derby in 2017 with an analogous body and energy profile.
The query mark is whether or not his pure swing will translate to Derby success. Wooden’s common launch angle is simply 6.2 levels, which is fairly low for optimum dwelling run manufacturing. However in batting apply, hitters can regulate their method to get extra raise, and Wooden’s uncooked energy may overcome any mechanical considerations.
Byron Buxton brings elite uncooked energy to Atlanta
The Minnesota Twins heart fielder is likely to be 31 years outdated, however his energy hasn’t diminished one bit. Buxton crushed a 479-foot monster earlier this season and has 4 others of no less than 425 toes. His “no doubter” proportion – dwelling runs that will be out of all 30 parks – is 75%, the very best within the majors amongst gamers with greater than a dozen homers.
Buxton’s bat pace ranks within the 89th percentile, and when he connects, the outcomes are completely spectacular. He has the type of uncooked energy that may create these highlight-reel moments that Derby followers dwell for, with balls disappearing into the Atlanta evening sky.
The age issue is the principle concern, because the Derby has grow to be extra of a younger man’s recreation underneath the present format. However Buxton’s mixture of expertise and elite energy might be the right recipe for Derby success.
Oneil Cruz has the toughest hit ball in baseball historical past
If you wish to see pure, ridiculous energy on show, Oneil Cruz is your man. The Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop has the hardest-hit ball of the 2025 season and the toughest ever tracked by Statcast – a 432-foot missile with an exit velocity of 122.9 mph that in all probability broke some sound boundaries.
Cruz additionally launched a 463-foot blast in Anaheim that soared means past the bushes in heart area, the type of mammoth shot that has followers checking their telephones to see if it landed in one other zip code. With elite bat pace rating within the one hundredth percentile, Cruz has the power to create an all-time Derby efficiency.
The potential draw back is his lengthy swing, which produces these huge blasts however won’t be probably the most environment friendly for a timed contest. Derby success usually comes all the way down to maximizing swings throughout the time restrict, and Cruz might want to discover the correct steadiness between energy and tempo.
The darkish horses may shock everybody
Matt Olson stepped in because the hometown alternative for Ronald Acuna Jr., and being a late addition would possibly really work in his favor. Olson was born in Atlanta and grew up a Braves fan, so the emotional connection is actual. He led the majors with 54 dwelling runs in 2023 and has the type of clean left-handed swing that would play nicely in his dwelling ballpark.
Junior Caminero brings elite bat pace and the prospect to grow to be simply the third participant to succeed in 40 dwelling runs in his age-21 season. At 21 years outdated, he has the youth and fearlessness that would result in a breakthrough efficiency on the nationwide stage.
Brent Rooker won’t have the identical uncooked energy as some rivals, however his optimum launch angle and constant energy manufacturing make him a reputable menace. He’s been desirous to take part for years, and that enthusiasm may translate into Derby success.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. may pull off the upset
The New York Yankees utility participant is likely to be probably the most neglected participant, however don’t sleep on his possibilities. Chisholm has belted 17 dwelling runs in simply 61 video games this season and ranks within the 96th percentile in anticipated slugging proportion and 98th percentile in barrel price.
As a dead-pull hitter who has elevated his launch angle this season, Chisholm’s method might be good for the Derby format. He won’t hit the longest dwelling runs, however he may rack up numbers by persistently discovering the seats down the foul traces.
The dimensions issue works in opposition to him – it’s important to return to Miguel Tejada in 2004 to search out the final participant underneath 6 toes to win the Derby. But when Chisholm can get sizzling and keep inside his swing, he may shock everybody in Atlanta.
Monday evening’s Derby has all of the components for an epic present, with energy hitters who can create moments that followers will bear in mind eternally. Whether or not it’s Raleigh’s historic season, Wooden’s elite instruments, or Cruz’s jaw-dropping energy, this competitors guarantees to ship the type of leisure that makes the Residence Run Derby must-watch tv.