Minnesota Twins' star Byron Buxton is set to electrify fans as he joins the 2025 MLB Home Run Derby! Major League Baseball announced Buxton's participation on Monday, just a week before the highly anticipated event at Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves. This will be a homecoming of sorts for Buxton, a Georgia native.
Buxton's Stellar Season
The 31-year-old Buxton has been a force to be reckoned with this season, despite battling injuries. In 73 games, he boasts a .270/.334/.544 slash line with an impressive 20 home runs and 16 stolen bases. According to Baseball Savant, 15 of those home runs were classified as "no doubters," showcasing his raw power.
All-Star Nod and Home Run Derby Invite
Adding to his accolades, Buxton was also named the Twins' lone All-Star. This marks his second All-Star selection, having previously participated in 2022. “It means a lot,” Buxton said about the honor. “The biggest thing for me is, last time I went to the game, as far as my family, it was four of us. We then added a kid. So, being able to make it back with my whole family this time is very special. And to do it back home with this Twins uniform on, it’s a blessing.”
Buxton's participation in the Home Run Derby is a fitting tribute to his power hitting. Over the past five seasons, he's averaged 40 homers per 162 games, with a .530 slugging percentage that ranks fifth in MLB during that span, behind only Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, Yordan Alvarez, and Mike Trout.
The Competition Heats Up
Buxton will face stiff competition from other sluggers, including James Wood of the Washington Nationals, Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners, and Ronald Acuña Jr. With Wood, Raleigh and Acuña Jr. already confirmed, four of the eight participants are now known and the Derby promises to be an exciting spectacle.
James Wood, a rising star for the Nationals, has also made a significant impact in his short career. The 6-foot-7 lefty is hitting .283/.387/.547 with 22 home runs this season. Cal Raleigh, the current MLB home run leader, will also be participating, adding to the competition's intensity.
The 2025 Home Run Derby is scheduled for July 13th. Baseball fans won't want to miss it!