The 2025 Home Run Derby field is slowing beginning to take shape with standout Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, affectionately nicknamed Big Dumper, the latest participant named to the annual event.
Raleigh is participating in the Home Run Derby for the first time in his career. He’s becoming the eighth different Mariners player to take part in the annual Derby, and the franchise’s 16th overall appearance.
The group also includes Ken Griffey Jr. (1990, 1992-1994, 1997-1999), Jay Buhner (1996), Alex Rodriguez (1998), Edgar Martinez (2000), Bret Boone (2001, 2003), Robinson Canó (2016) and Julio Rodríguez (2022-2023).
Griffey is the only player in Mariners franchise history to ever win the Home Run Derby, which he achieved an MLB-record three times (1994, 1998, 1999).
Raleigh figures to be among the favorites to win the event considering he currently leads the Majors with 32 home runs, three more than Shohei Ohtani and four in front of Aaron Judge. That Raleigh the first catcher and first switch-hitter in MLB history to reach 30 homers before the All-Star break.
It’s possible that Raleigh will switch-hit in the Home Run Derby, which Adley Rutschman memorably became the first player to ever do so when he participated in 2023. If Raleigh wins the Derby, he’ll be the first catcher to ever achieve that.
Meanwhile, Raleigh is on pace to break multiple MLB records this season.
Salvador Perez has hit the most home runs by a primary catcher in a single year (48), and Mickey Mantle has the most as a switch-hitter (54).
While Raleigh has emerged as arguably the top catcher in baseball, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently explained he believes that title belongs to Will Smith.
Home Run Derby 2025 participants
In addition to Raleigh, Ronald Acuña Jr. has committed to participating in the Home Run Derby as a representative from the hosting Atlanta Braves.
Additional players will be revealed in the coming weeks, but one who won’t be part of that is Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz. Neither is defending champion Teoscar Hernández, who is choosing to prioritize his health and availability for the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second half.
The Home Run Derby is taking place Monday, July 14, and will be exclusively televised by ESPN.
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