Cal Raleigh, the Seattle Mariners’ powerhouse, has claimed the title of home run king at the 2025 Home Run Derby in Atlanta. With a remarkable performance, Raleigh defeated Tampa Bay Rays’ rising star Junior Caminero 18-15 in the final round. This victory marks a historic moment as Raleigh becomes the first catcher to win the event since its inception decades ago.
Affectionately nicknamed “Big Dumper,” Raleigh joins an elite group of Mariners players to have won the Derby, following in the footsteps of Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. Raleigh’s breakout season, with 38 homers under his belt, reached a new peak with this win. Celebrating alongside him was his father, who pitched to him throughout the competition.
As the winner, Raleigh pockets $1 million, while Caminero, who had the chance to become the youngest winner at just 22, takes home $750,000. There was a brief moment of potential controversy in the final round when it seemed a ball boy might have interfered with a Caminero home run attempt. However, Caminero couldn’t muster the five home runs needed in the bonus round to surpass Raleigh.
Raleigh’s path to victory was a close call, as he narrowly advanced from the first round by the slimmest of margins. Both he and Brent Rooker from the Athletics hit 17 homers, but Raleigh’s longest shot edged out Rooker’s by a mere tenth of a foot. The night also featured a standout moment from Pittsburgh Pirates’ O’Neil Cruz, who launched a 513-foot homer, showcasing his incredible power.
While Atlanta Braves’ Matt Olsen had a promising start, he couldn’t break into the top four, leaving the final spot to Byron Buxton. Buxton shined in the bonus round to advance to the semifinals but managed only seven homers in the next round. This allowed Caminero to easily surpass his total and rest before facing Raleigh.
Washington Nationals’ James Wood also put on a respectable showing with 16 homers in the first round. Meanwhile, New York Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm Jr. struggled to find his rhythm, finishing with just three home runs. The event was filled with thrilling moments and impressive displays of power from baseball’s brightest talents.
Raleigh’s journey to the top was nothing short of thrilling, with each round presenting new challenges and highlighting his skill. Caminero’s performance, although not enough to win, showcased his potential and competitive spirit. The 2025 Home Run Derby was a night to remember, filled with excitement and record-breaking feats.
