Field Level Media
15 Jul 2025, 08:49 GMT+10
(Photo credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images)
ATLANTA -- Cal Raleigh became the first catcher to win the Home Run Derby on Monday night, besting Junior Caminero 18-15 in the final round at Truist Park.
Raleigh also became the first Seattle Mariners player to hoist the trophy since 1999, when Ken Griffey Jr. won his third title. Tampa Bay's Caminero, who was vying to become the youngest winner in Derby history at 22, fell just short as the Rays' first contestant since Randy Arozerena lost to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the 2023 final.
Raleigh, the major league's leader in homers with 38, totaled 54 home runs on Monday. All was nearly lost in the opening round, as the Seattle star advanced to the semifinals on a tiebreaker, as his longest home run eclipsed Brent Rooker's by the narrowest of margins -- 470.61 feet to 470.53.
In the semifinals, Byron Buxton -- facing Caminero -- followed his 21-homer first round with a seven spot in the second round. Caminero blew past that total, needing just 12 swings to reach eight homers and advance to the final round.
On the other side of the four-man bracket, Raleigh outslugged Oneil Cruz 19-13, despite Cruz mashing a 498-foot shot.
Cruz and Caminero hit 21 home runs in the opening round, with Cruz receiving the top seed based on the longest home run tiebreaker.
Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood began the night with 16 home runs, including a 486-foot shot, before Rooker followed with 17.
Tampa Bay star Caminero, using a bat with his face on it, then hit 11 of the first 14 pitches he saw over the fence, before totaling 21 in an impressive round.
Pittsburgh Pirates slugger Cruz hit one of his 21 first-round homers 513 feet to right-center field, marking the farthest recorded home run in Truist Park history.
Buxton of the Minnesota Twins had 20 homers and New York Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit just three out.
Raleigh switched from the left-handed batter's box to the right with just over a minute left on his way to 17.
To cap the first round, Atlanta first baseman Matt Olson recorded only 15 in his home park, leaving Cruz, Caminero, Buxton and Raleigh in the semifinals.
--Jack Batten, Field Level Media
Get a daily dose of Sports Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Sports Sun.
More Information(Photo credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images) ATLANTA -- Cal Raleigh became the first catcher to win the Home Run Derby on Monday night,...
(Photo credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images) ATLANTA -- Cal Raleigh became the first catcher to win the Home Run Derby on Monday night,...
(Photo credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images) ATLANTA -- Junior Caminero and Cal Raleigh advanced to the finals of the Home Run Derby...
(Photo credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images) ATLANTA -- Oneil Cruz, Junior Caminero, Byron Buxton and Cal Raleigh advanced to the semifinals...
(Photo credit: David Richard-Imagn Images) The Cleveland Cavaliers signed president of basketball operations Koby Altman to a contract...
(Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images) An ownership group led by Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux has expressed that it is 'very...
(Photo credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images) When asked about the leadership governing college sports, LSU head coach Brian Kelly...
(Photo credit: SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK) LSU transfer wide receiver Nic Anderson spent one night in a hospital...
(Photo credit: Chet Peterman / Special to The Post / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images) Former NFL quarterback Teddy Bridgewater...
(Photo credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images) San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings is seeking a new contract or a trade,...
(Photo credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images) John Elway will not be charged in the April incident in which his longtime business partner...
Washington DC [US], July 14 (ANI): Actress and model Olivia Culpo welcomed her first baby with her husband, Christian McCaffrey. The...