Full 2025 Home Run Derby participants: Live updates of who is and isn't competing

The MLB All-Star break is on the horizon, and fans are trying to send their favorite players to the Midsummer Classic in Atlanta, Ga. The All-Star Game is just one event for the week in Atlanta. There is also one of the more anticipated events of the week, and that's the Home Run Derby.

Every year, players will participate to see who can stake the claim as the home run king by winning a tournament. The winner will receive a Home Run Derby trophy. We'll see who will be able to hit the most home runs at Truist Park.

So, who is (and who isn't) competing in the Home Run Derby?

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Full list of 2025 Home Run Derby participants

• Ronald Acuña Jr. (Braves) — HR Total: 9
• Cal Raleigh (Mariners) — HR Total: 35
• James Wood (Nationals) — HR Total: 23
• Byron Buxton (Twins) — HR Total: 20
• Oneil Cruz (Pirates) — HR Total: 16
• Junior Caminero (Rays) — HR Total: 21

Only four Home Run Derby participants have confirmed their entry to this point, with Acuña being the first as the hometown hero in Atlanta. He also happens to be off to a hot start at the plate since making his season debut back in June, while Raleigh leads MLB in homers and Wood has been one of this year's young breakout stars.

Junior Caminero could become youngest Home Run Derby winner

Three years ago, Juan Soto came one day shy of breaking Juan Gonzalez's record to become the youngest champion in Home Run Derby history. Caminero, however, has a chance to blow that record out of the water: The Tampa Bay Rays slugger, who just confirmed his participation in the Derby on Wednesday, only turned 22 years old back on July 5, a remarkable fact for someone who's already established himself as an impact big-league hitter.

Caminero still has some kinks to iron out in his game; he still hits the ball on the ground too much, and he's still a bit too aggressive at the plate (as his sub-.300 OBP attests). But man: When he gets a hold of one, it goes. Now, if we can just allow bat flips in the Derby, we'll be all set.

Oneil Cruz brings his tantalizing talent to the Derby

Oneil Cruz of the Pittsburgh Pirates became the fifth confirmed member of the Derby field on Tuesday, and that's great news for anyone who likes to watch baseballs get hit to places baseballs don't usually go. Cruz has yet to fully tap into his physical gifts as a player, but those gifts remain among the most tantalizing in the entire sport, a man who can crack 100 mph on the radar gun with his arm and then do stuff like this with his bat.

That someone with that much power only has 16 homers so far this season shows you what a maddening player Cruz can be, but you don't have to worry about hitting too many ground balls when you're getting fed batting practice.

Byron Buxton becomes fourth player to join Home Run Derby field

We're officially halfway to a full field. Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton became the fourth confirmed entrant in the 2025 Home Run Derby on Monday, July 7, making the announcement via his Instagram account.

The news comes just 24 hours or so after Buxton earned the second All-Star nod of his career, snagging one of the reserve spots in the AL outfield thanks to player balloting. And obth honors are very much deserved: The Buck Truck is in the midst of a spectacular season, slashing .270/.334/.544 with 20 homers and 16 steals across his first 73 games and at times single-handedly carrying the Twins' offense.

We always knew that Buxton was one of the most physically gifted players in the sport. His body has finally allowed him to show as much this season, and it's hard not to love the fact that he's been rewarded for it. Buxton hits the ball as hard as just about anybody, and he should be considered very much a live threat to win this whole event.

Pete Alonso finally says no to Home Run Derby

Alonso had become a Derby stalwart, participating in the event in every season since he broke into the Majors back in 2019. (He won both that year and in 2021.) But over July 4 weekend, he told reporters that he'd be sitting the 2025 edition out, despite being named to the NL All-Star team.

"I decided not to do it this year,’’ Alonso told the New York Post. “I’ve never really fully enjoyed three off-days. I just want to be in the best possible position to help this team win in the second half.” 

Alonso didn't rule out a return to the Derby in future years, but said that he was looking forward to the chance to recharge a little bit before beginning a crucial stretch run with the New York Mets.

“It’s not necessarily the work and the swing,” Alonso added. “It’s the adrenaline. You’ve got to be up in compete and game mode.” 

The Polar Bear's power stroke seems to be in peak form right now, with 20 homers through New York's first 91 games. He's always been a strong second-half player despite his commitment to the Derby, so it'll be interesting to see where he goes from here.

All-Star snub James Wood joins the Home Run Derby

It was a bit egregious that Washington Nationals breakout superstar James Wood wasn't given an All-Star Game starting nod, but he'll still be in heavy focus in Atlanta as he announced on Instagram that he'll be competing in the 2025 Home Run Derby.

After being called up by Washington for 79 games last year, Wood's first full season in the nation's capital has been nothing short of electric. He's slashing .283/.387/.547/.934 on the year with 22 home runs, 19 doubles, 65 RBi and some of the most raw power in the sport. The fact that he's also stolen 12 bases on top of that just makes his production more absurd.

While any of the Home Run Derby participants have elite power, there's an argument to be made that Wood has the potential to put on the biggest fireworks show in the event come July 14.

Francisco Lindor shuts down participating in 2025 Home Run Derby

Francisco Lindor was a notable snub from the 2024 All-Star Game. But in 2025, Lindor was announced as the starting shortstop for the National League after receiving more votes than Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts.

As Lindor was discussing the honor of starting for the National League, he was asked about participating in the Home Run Derby. Lindor said he didn't think it was a good idea, considering he is playing through a broken toe. While shutting down participating in this year's Home Run Derby, he is open to doing so in the future.

Ronald Acuña Jr. is first player to declare for the Home Run Derby

Considering All-Star week is taking place in Atlanta, it's only fitting that the first player to declare for the Home Run Derby is Braves superstar Ronald Acuña Jr.

Acuña made it official during an appearance on ESPN's SportsCenter on June 25.

"I'm just happy to announce that I'll be participating in this year's Home Run Derby, and I'm even more excited to be doing it at home in Atlanta in front of our fans," Acuña said, h/t ESPN. "They're a big reason I'm doing this. I'm Ronald Acuña Jr. because of their support. I'm just excited to go back and home and do this for them."

Acuña previously participated in the Home Run Derby twice beforehand, but never won it. In both appearances, he was eliminated by New York Mets star Pete Alonso — in the 2019 semifinals and the first round of the 2022 Home Run Derby.

Cal Raleigh declares for Home Run Derby in midst of incredible season

This season, one of the biggest surprises has been Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh. No one could have expected Raleigh to break the single-season home run record by a catcher, but he is on pace to not only break it, but exceed it.

On June 27, MLB announced that Raleigh, the league's home run leader, will compete in the MLB Home Run Derby.

Raleigh has the chance to become the first catcher to ever win the Home Run Derby. We'll see if he can do that in Atlanta on July 14.

Elly De La Cruz declines invitation to Home Run Derby

One of MLB's bright young stars is Elly De La Cruz. The 23-year-old shortstop is incredibly fast, but also possesses insane power. But would De La Cruz participate in the Home Run Derby?

On June 27, De La Cruz said, h/t C. Trent Rosencrans, that he declined to participate in the Home Run Derby. De La Cruz said that he would like to compete in a Home Run Derby eventually, but this year isn't the year.

This is now the third time in which De La Cruz declined an invitation to compete in the home run tournament.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. says no to 2025 Home Run Derby

There is one former Home Run Derby winner who won't compete in the 2025 event, and that's Toronto Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

On June 27, Guerrero told Sportsnet's Hazel Mae that he won't be participating in the 2025 event. When asked if he could change his mind, Guerrero said "No. N.O." Another reason why Guerrero declined an invitation is because, in his mind, "That’s (Ronald) Acuña’s show."

Guerrero won the 2023 Home Run Derby after hitting 72 home runs. In the finals he narrowly defeated then-Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena 25-23.

Guerrero also declined to participate in the 2024 Home Run Derby.

Teoscar Hernandez won't defend Home Run Derby crown in 2025

In 2024, Teoscar Hernandez won the Home Run Derby in thrilling fashion. After defeating Alec Bohm in a semifinal swing-off, Hernandez narrowly defeated Kansas City Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. in yet another swing-off.

The Dodgers outfielder won't be defending his crown this year. Hernandez told David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports that the reasoning behind his decision was so he wouldn't risk injury and that he'd be at full health for the team's playoff push.

As it stands, Pete Alonso, Yoenis Cespedes, and Ken Griffey Jr. are the only players to successfully win the Home Run Derby crown in back-to-back years.

Shohei Ohtani rules out Home Run Derby 2025 participation

Fans are always hoping that the game's big stars will participate in the Home Run Derby. No one fits the bill more than Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani hasn't competed in the tournament since 2021, where he was eliminated in the opening round to Juan Soto 31-28.

That streak will seemingly continue. Ohtani told reporters, h/t Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times, that he was probably unlikely to participate, citing the current rules as being "pretty difficult."

Baseball fans wanting to see Ohtani finally win the Home Run Derby will have to wait another year. He is currently trying to build himself back up as a starting pitcher after recovering from elbow surgery.