Liputan6.com, Jakarta The 2025 MLB Home Run Derby was successfully held on Monday, July 14, 2025, at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia.
The event, broadcast live by ESPN, featured eight Major League Baseball (MLB) players competing in three intense rounds: the first round, the semifinals, and the finals.
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Baseball fans around the world watched the captivating action from MLB's best hitters.
This competition not only showcased batting prowess but also served as a key part of the All-Star break celebrations.
The crowd's enthusiasm was palpable, especially with the presence of several big names who were among the favorites to win.
The 2025 Home Run Derby promises a fierce battle and new records to be set.Here's complete information on the match format, participants, and preliminary results of the 2025 Home Run Derby.
Don't miss the exciting details about the batting distance records set and other surprises that highlighted this year's competition.
2025 Home Run Derby Game Format
Each participant in the first round of the 2025 Home Run Derby will be given 40 pitches within a maximum of three minutes to hit as many home runs as possible.
Strategy and physical endurance are key for participants.
In addition, each participant will have one 45-second rest period during this round.
The use of this rest period can be crucial in determining the success of scoring the most home runs.
After the normal time limit expires, there will be a bonus round with no time limit.
In this bonus round, participants must achieve three outs (swings that are not home runs).
Each home run traveling at least 425 feet (129.5 m) in the bonus round earns the participant one more chance.
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Thrilling Semifinals and Finals
Competitors are ranked based on their results in the previous round (1 vs. 4, 2 vs. 3).
The lower-ranked competitor gets the chance to bat first. This strategy gives them a slight psychological advantage.
The time limit in the semifinals is shortened to two minutes with 27 shots.
The intensity of the competition increases, and every swing is crucial.
Competitors must maintain focus and accuracy in their shots.
If a tie occurs in the semifinals, the winner will be determined by a 60-second tiebreaker with no bonus rounds or rest periods.
Also, if the tie persists, a three-shot knockout round will be held until a winner advances to the final.
2025 Home Run Derby Participants
The eight players participating in the 2025 Home Run Derby are big names who have demonstrated exceptional skills on the field.
Here is the complete list of participants in this year's competition:James Wood (Nationals)Brent Rooker (Athletics)Junior Caminero (Rays)Oneil Cruz (Pirates)Byron Buxton (Twins)Jazz Chisholm Jr. (Yankees)Cal Raleigh (Mariners)Matt Olson (Braves)
The presence of names like Cal Raleigh, who was the MLB home run leader before the All-Star break, adds to the excitement of the competition.
Fans are eager to see them in action in the 2025 Home Run Derby.
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First Half Results and Records Created
In the first half, Junior Caminero hit 21 home runs, showing a very promising performance.
Brent Rooker followed with 17 home runs, while James Wood hit 16.James Wood hit the second-longest home run in Home Run Derby history (excluding the one at Coors Field in 2021), hitting a distance of 486 feet.
This shot became one of the most iconic moments of this year's competition.Oneil Cruz also stole the show by hitting a home run of 513 feet, tying Aaron Judge's record for the longest hit (excluding Coors Field).
These records demonstrate the powerful hitting power of the 2025 Home Run Derby participants.
Cal Raleigh, who was the MLB home run leader before the All-Star break, is one of the favorites to win the competition.
However, stiff competition from other participants makes the 2025 Home Run Derby even more exciting to watch.
