The home run derby is a nuisance. All the home run kings of Ohtani Jersey, Alonso Schwaber, refused, and it was his turn
Jul 09, 2025
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The home run derby seems to have become very much a `picky thing' for the players. That's how much MLB has to ask for.
MLB.com said on the 9th (Korea time) 'We'll see Cruise's previously unseen home run at the T-Mobile home run derby at Truist Park in Atlanta next week.
Cruise is the most powerful player in the Major League. According to Statcast, Cruise ranks first overall in average bat speed (78.5 miles) and average batting speed (96.1 miles) this season. In addition, the solo home run's batting speed of 122.9 miles to the right in the bottom of the third inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park on May 26 is the fastest ever.
Six out of 10 hits over 118 miles this year have been hit by Cruz, and 12 hits, half of the top 24 hits since 2022 when he made his major league debut, are also his responsibility. In other words, fans will be more interested in him as he participates in the home run derby.
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This marks the fifth time Cruz has decided to participate in the All-Star home run derby, following Atlanta Braves Ronald Acuña Jr., Seattle Mariners Carl Raleigh, Washington Nationals James Wood and Minnesota Twins Byron Buxton. Since there are eight participants in the All-Star Home Run Derby, three more must be selected.
Cruz said, `Over the past two years, several of my teammates have told me that they want me to be in the Home Run Derby. Last year, I had no choice because of an ankle injury. I'm in very good shape now."
Cruz is the sixth Pittsburgh player to participate in the home run derby after Bobby Bonilla (1990), Barry Bonds (1992), Andrew McCutchen (2012), Pedro Alvarez (2013), and Josh Bell (2019).
Cruz is batting .203 (59 for 291) with 15 home runs, 35 RBIs, 47 runs, 28 steals, and an OPS of .717 in 80 games this season. In fact, he wasn't the priority group MLB asked to participate in this home run derby.
Cruz's turn came as the leading home run hitters refused to participate.
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Shohei Ohtani, the No. 1 home run player in the NL, told local media The Athletic last week that `I think it's hard for me to participate and make a good record given the current home run derby rules", he politely declined. In the case of Ohtani, he recently resumed pitching, so the home run derby could be a burden in the second half of the race. However, Ohtani only participated in the home run derby once in 2021, when he began his double work as a pitcher, and has since declined for one reason or another.
The same goes for Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees. When asked by local media Newsday on the 7th of last month whether he would participate in the Home Run Derby, he said, `I will not participate. The reasons are the same. If the All-Star Game is held in New York, we will be able to say participation." All-Star games were held at Yankee Stadium and City Field in New York in 2008 and 2013, respectively. In other words, considering that the All-Star Game will be held while touring all stadiums, Judge's chances of participating in the home run derby before retirement are virtually 'zero'. Next year's All-Star Game will be held at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Wrigley Field in Chicago in 2027, and Rogers Centre in Toronto in 2028.
Judge has not participated since winning the home run derby in 2017. At the time, Judge said, `I hurt my shoulder a few weeks before I participated in the Home Run Derby, and after participating in the Home Run Derby, my injury worsened and I underwent surgery.'
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The All-Star Home Run Derby will be held at Truist Park on the 15th, a day before the main game.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
