James Wood Joins Home Run Derby! Can He Beat Acuña & Raleigh?
Nationals' rising star James Wood has officially entered the 2025 Home Run Derby, joining Mariners' slugger Cal Raleigh and Braves' MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. The Derby is scheduled for July 13th and promises to be a power-packed event.
Wood, who celebrated his one-year anniversary in the league on July 1st, 2024, has quickly become a force to be reckoned with. In just 165 career games, the 6-foot-7 lefty has made a significant impact. This season, the 22-year-old is batting .283/.387/.547 with a stellar 164 OPS+ and has already launched 22 home runs in 322 at-bats. His power is undeniable, with 12 of his homers classified as "no doubters" by Baseball Savant.
Interestingly, Wood has already hit a home run at Truist Park in Atlanta, the venue for this year's Derby. It was an opposite-field shot earlier this season, showcasing his ability to drive the ball to all fields. While regular season stats might not directly translate to Derby success, this experience could give him a slight edge.
Cal Raleigh, the current MLB home run leader, will also be participating. Raleigh, a switch-hitting catcher for the Seattle Mariners, expressed his excitement: "I'm excited to represent the Mariners and our fanbase at the [Home Run] Derby. It will be extra special for me getting to do it in Atlanta, where I spent a lot of time playing baseball as a kid."
Raleigh has had a historic season, becoming the first catcher to reach 30 home runs before the All-Star Break and the first switch-hitter to achieve this feat. He's just two homers away from matching his single-season career high of 34, and is on pace to shatter the single-season record for most home runs hit by a catcher.
Who will win the Home Run Derby?
With Wood, Raleigh, and Acuña Jr. confirmed, anticipation is building for the remaining five participants. The 2025 Home Run Derby is shaping up to be a memorable showdown between some of baseball's most powerful hitters. Will Wood's raw power prevail? Can Raleigh continue his home run dominance? Or will Acuña Jr.'s MVP caliber swing lead him to victory?