July 15th, 2025

Cal Raleigh made Home Run Derby history with a jaw-dropping 54-homer performance — becoming the first catcher to ever win the event and doing it with his dad throwing pitches and brother catching. From Oneil Cruz’s 513-foot missile to Caminero’s breakout moment, this Derby was all-time. Plus, we break down tonight’s All-Star Game starters, storylines, and what to watch for in Atlanta.

July 15, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes

🏆 Cal Raleigh Makes Derby History in Atlanta

Cal Raleigh became the first catcher to ever win the T-Mobile Home Run Derby, beating Junior Caminero in a thrilling final round and completing a family moment 20 years in the making. With his dad pitching and his younger brother catching, “Big Dumper” capped off his 38-homer first half with 54 total long balls in the Derby.

Full Highlights Here | 2025 Home Run Derby Highlights

Cal Raleigh hits 54 home runs in the 2025 T-Mobile Home Run Derby, taking down Junior Caminero in the Final Round

🔑 Key Moments

  • Raleigh barely survived the first round, advancing past Brent Rooker by just 0.96 inches via longest HR tiebreaker (470.62 ft)

  • In the semifinals, he crushed 19 homers to eliminate Oneil Cruz, who earlier hit a 513-foot bomb — tied for the longest non-Coors HR in Derby history

  • Caminero impressed throughout, totaling 44 homers and nearly becoming the youngest Derby champ at 22 years old

📊 Round 1 Results

✅ Advanced: Junior Caminero (21), Oneil Cruz (21), Byron Buxton (20), Cal Raleigh (17*)
❌ Eliminated: Brent Rooker (17), James Wood (16), Matt Olson (15), Jazz Chisholm Jr. (3)
*Raleigh advanced via tiebreaker (longest HR: 470.62 ft vs. Rooker’s 470.54 ft)

🔥 Notable Performances:

  • Oneil Cruz stole the show early with a 513-foot blast, tied for longest non-Coors Field Derby HR ever.

  • Caminero crushed 21 homers, including two 475-footers, swinging a custom bat with his face on it.

  • Raleigh switch-hit in Round 1 (8 lefty, 7 righty, 2 more lefty in bonus) to hit 17 and edge Rooker by 0.96 inches.

⚔️ Semifinals

✅ Advanced: Cal Raleigh (19), Junior Caminero (8)
❌ Eliminated: Oneil Cruz (13), Byron Buxton (7)

🔥 Highlights:

  • Raleigh went full lefty and crushed 19 total homers, including 16 in regulation and 3 bonus, beating Oneil Cruz.

  • Cruz followed up his 513-foot shot with another bomb at 498 ft, hitting 18 total HRs of 450+ feet over the event.

  • Caminero only needed part of the round to beat Buxton struggled early, managing just 7 total homers after a strong Round 1.

🎯 Finals

🏆 Cal Raleigh defeats Junior Caminero, 18–15

🔥 Highlights:

  • Caminero hit 15 homers and nearly became the youngest Derby champ ever (22 years, 9 days).

  • Raleigh homered on six straight pitches at one point, then walked it off with a last-second blast before hitting three more in bonus time.

  • Raleigh used only his left-handed swing in the final two rounds, finishing with 18 in the finals

⚾ All Star Game Preview

Baseball's biggest names hit Truist Park tonight as the Midsummer Classic returns to Atlanta for the first time since 2000, and this one carries even deeper meaning with a tribute to Braves legend Hank Aaron and the return of some fan-favorite traditions.

🔑 Key Storylines

  • Hank Aaron Tribute — MLB will honor Aaron with a live in-game recreation of his 715th home run, using projection mapping and fireworks after the sixth inning.

  • Uniforms Are Back — Players will wear regular-season team jerseys during the game, reversing the All-Star-only uniforms used in recent years.

  • Automated Challenges Debut — For the first time ever, both teams will have two ABS (automated ball-strike) challenges to use during the game.

  • Mic’d-Up Moments — Select players will wear two-way mics to chat live with FOX’s booth during the game.

📊 Starting Lineups

National League

  1. Shohei Ohtani (DH, Dodgers)

  2. Ronald Acuña Jr. (LF, Braves)

  3. Ketel Marte (2B, Diamondbacks)

  4. Freddie Freeman (1B, Dodgers)

  5. Manny Machado (3B, Padres)

  6. Will Smith (C, Dodgers)

  7. Kyle Tucker (RF, Cubs)

  8. Francisco Lindor (SS, Mets)

  9. Pete Crow-Armstrong (CF, Cubs)
    SP: Paul Skenes (Pirates)

American League

  1. Gleyber Torres (2B, Tigers)

  2. Riley Greene (LF, Tigers)

  3. Aaron Judge (RF, Yankees)

  4. Cal Raleigh (C, Mariners)

  5. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1B, Blue Jays)

  6. Ryan O’Hearn (DH, Orioles)

  7. Junior Caminero (3B, Rays)

  8. Javier Báez (CF, Tigers)

  9. Jacob Wilson (SS, Athletics)
    SP: Tarik Skubal (Tigers)

🎙 Game Info

  • 📺 Tonight at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on FOX

👨‍🏫 Managers & Coaches

  • NL: Dave Roberts (Dodgers), honorary coaches: Brian Snitker (Braves), Clayton McCullough (Marlins)

  • AL: Aaron Boone (Yankees), honorary coaches: Joe Torre, Stephen Vogt (Guardians)

🎖 Fun Fact: Dodgers legend Clayton Kershaw was named an All-Star “Legend Pick” after reaching 3,000 career strikeouts.

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