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Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

AL: Picking a dream Home Run Derby participant

By David Hill, Seth Carlson, Allen Settle | Last updated Jun 23, 2025 11:47 AM ET

Home runs are still king in baseball. The hits can change a game in an instant and never fail to get the crowd on their feet.

The 2025 T-Mobile Home Run Derby will take place on July 14, the day before the All-Star Game, at Atlanta's Truist Park. This week, Yardbarker's MLB writers got together to select one dream participant in the Home Run Derby from each club.

(Stats and records are entering play on Monday)

AL East

Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday hits a single against the Athletics during the seventh inning at Sutter Health Park. Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

BALTIMORE ORIOLES (33-44) | 2B Jackson Holliday | Holliday has just eight home runs this season, but that’s good for fourth on the Orioles as they’ve largely struggled to hit as a team. And how fun would it be to see the former No. 1 overall pick crushing long balls at the Derby after all the adversity he faced in his rookie year?

BOSTON RED SOX (40-39) | OF Jarren Duran | With third baseman Rafael Devers now in San Francisco and Alex Bregman dealing with an injury, that leaves Duran as the obvious Red Sox Home Run Derby candidate. It’s less about the numbers (Duran has just five homers in 2025) and more about the flair Duran could bring to Atlanta’s Truist Park.

NEW YORK YANKEES (45-32) | INF Jazz Chisholm Jr. | Like Duran, Chisholm would bring a ton of personality to the Home Run Derby stage. And the Yankees infielder has more pop thus far, with 10 home runs in 2025, making him a strong candidate to fill in for Aaron Judge, who has announced he will not participate this year.

TAMPA BAY RAYS (43-35) | 3B Junior Caminero | If you didn’t know, Junior Caminero’s bat speed ranks in the 100th percentile in 2025, which helps explain why he has 19 home runs in 2025, leading his Rays teammates. Caminero is precisely the type of rising star who would be a slam-dunk selection for the American League Home Run Derby field.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS (41-36) | 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. | Guerrero is a Derby veteran — he won the event in 2023 at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. However, he’s also still the biggest name the Blue Jays have, and his name recognition, along with his light-tower power, make him a surefire American League participant should he choose to return to the stage at Truist Park. -- Seth Carlson

AL Central

Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez hits an RBI double during the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Progressive Field. Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

CHICAGO WHITE SOX (25-53) | 3B Miguel Vargas | Vargas leads the White Sox in home runs and has been one of the few bright spots on a rebuilding team. He has a chance to be the White Sox representative in Atlanta and would be the best option for the Home Run Derby.

CLEVELAND GUARDIANS (39-37) | 3B Jose Ramirez | Ramirez was a participant in the 2024 Home Run Derby, belting 33 homers in two rounds before being eliminated by Bobby Witt Jr. An encore would help push one of the more underrated players in the game further into the spotlight.

DETROIT TIGERS (49-30) | 1B Spencer Torkelson | After fighting for his place on the roster with a monster spring training, Torkelson has begun to look like the slugger the Tigers envisioned. A trip to the Home Run Derby would be a nice reward.

KANSAS CITY ROYALS (38-40) | SS Bobby Witt Jr. | Witt fell inches short of the Home Run Derby title last season, finishing as the runner-up. Another shot at the title could lead to a different result.

MINNESOTA TWINS (37-40) | OF Byron Buxton | Finally healthy, Buxton leads the Twins in virtually every offensive category this season. While he deserves a trip to the All-Star Game, he would be a worthy candidate for the Home Run Derby as well. -- David Hill

AL West

Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz hits a walk-off home run against the Houston Astros during the ninth inning at Sutter Health Park. Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images

ATHLETICS (32-48) | 1B Nick Kurtz | While Nick Kurtz's 10 homers are only the third most on his team, his production over limited at-bats (141 compared to DH Brent Rooker's team-leading 312) makes him the clear leader. The rookie first baseman has elite power that could spark a deep Home Run Derby run.

HOUSTON ASTROS (45-33) | 3B Isaac Paredes | Third baseman Isaac Paredes and his team-leading 16 homers earn the spot for the AL West powerhouse Astros. However, the slugger's power will potentially be dampened by Truist Park's mid-level hitting environment.

LOS ANGELES ANGELS (37-40) | LF Taylor Ward | Veteran Taylor Ward narrowly edges out a red-hot fellow outfielder, Jo Adell, for the Angels' slot. Ward's 19 homers are tied for the 10th most in baseball.

SEATTLE MARINERS (39-37) | C Cal Raleigh | Seattle features the easiest pick for a dream Home Run Derby participant. Superstar catcher Cal Raleigh and his league-leading 31 homers become a likely finalist.

TEXAS RANGERS (38-40) | LF Wyatt Langford | Left fielder Wyatt Langford and first baseman Jake Burger are the strongest candidates to represent a disappointing Rangers offense. Burger's oblique injury opens the door for Langford and his team-leading 13 home runs to attempt an upset. -- Allen Settle

David Hill

Based in the mountains of Vermont, Dave has over a decade of experience writing about all things baseball. Just don't ask his thoughts on the universal DH.

Seth Carlson

Seth Carlson is an experienced writer and editor based in the NYC area with a particular love for all things baseball. He has a demonstrated history of delivering insightful analysis and engaging content across multiple outlets and industries. Seth brings his expertise and commitment to high-quality coverage to Yardbarker’s readers.

Allen Settle

Allen Settle is a lifelong baseball fan who has never given up on his passion. You can find his writing at Yardbarker and Prospects1500. He is a former writer at Fansided’s Marlin Maniac and Rising Apple

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