Pirates’ Oneil Cruz Joins 2025 Home Run Derby Power Lineup

Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz has been announced as a participant in the 2025 Home Run Derby at Atlanta's Truist Park, joining stars like Ronald Acuña Jr., Cal Raleigh, James Wood, and Byron Buxton. Despite having fewer home runs than some competitors, Cruz is notable for his exceptional power, holding the record for the hardest hit ball in the Statcast era at 122.9 mph, as well as leading the league in average exit velocity. At 6-foot-7 and 240 pounds, Cruz's impressive bat speed, barrel rate, and hard-hit percentage make him a formidable contender in the Derby. While his batting average sits at .203, Cruz's ability to consistently hit balls with tremendous exit velocity has earned him the nickname "Cruz Missiles" and high expectations for his Derby performance. Former Pirates catcher Michael McKenry praised Cruz's pacing skills and believes the Derby could benefit Cruz's performance after the All-Star break. Cruz's participation adds to a strong field of young power hitters, making the upcoming Derby an exciting showcase of raw power and strategy.