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Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood hits a walk-off two-run home run against the Colorado Rockies during the eleventh inning at Nationals Park. Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

NL: Picking a dream Home Run Derby participant

By Lauren Amour, Kevin Henry, Taylor Bretl | Last updated Jun 23, 2025 11:49 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.)

NL East

Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr hits a lead-off home run against the New York Mets during the first inning at Truist Park. Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

ATLANTA BRAVES (35-41) | RF Ronald Acuna Jr. | Since making his 2025 season debut following an ACL tear last May, Acuna has brought life to the Braves’ offense. He's slugged .698 with eight homers in 27 games – he'd also have the home crowd behind him in Atlanta during the Derby.

MIAMI MARLINS (31-45) | C Agustin Ramirez | Only two players on the Marlins have double digits in home runs: Kyle Stowers and Ramirez. With Ramirez being a rookie, it would be fun to see him compete in the Derby and help bring some enthusiasm to his lowly club.

NEW YORK METS (46-32) | SS Francisco Lindor | Since his teammate Pete Alonso is a two-time Derby champion and five-time participant, it’d be fun to see someone new from New York. Lindor, who’s belted 16 homers this season, would be the perfect candidate, and it's past time he gets selected to an All-Star Game as a member of the Mets.

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (47-31) | DH Kyle Schwarber | His 24 homers this season rank fifth in the league and lead his team, but Schwarber’s a two-time participant in the Derby. In 2018, he was defeated by future teammate Bryce Harper, and in 2022, he lost to veteran Albert Pujols in a swing-off in the first round.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS (32-46) | LF James Wood | The 22-year-old has slugged 21 homers this year, which leads the Nationals and is tied for sixth in the league. Plus, having a youngster participate in the Derby for the first time is always exciting. -- Lauren Amour

NL Central

Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) hits a two-run home run against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Matt Marton-Imagn Images

CHICAGO CUBS (46-31) | OF Pete Crow-Armstrong | In a season where he became the first Cubs player to reach 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases before the All-Star break, Crow-Armstrong’s 21 homers also leads all NL outfielders.

CINCINNATI REDS (40-38) | SS Elly De La Cruz | Leading all shortstops with 17 home runs, De La Cruz is on pace to hit 35 home runs, which would be the most in a single season by a Reds shortstop. Already electric on the base paths, he’d bring even more excitement to the Derby stage with his swing.

MILWAUKEE BREWERS (43-35) | DH Christian Yelich | After suffering a minor back injury just before the 2019 Home Run Derby — which he was originally set to compete in — Yelich has yet to make his debut. Leading the Brewers with 14 home runs this season, the former NL MVP is still chasing his first shot at the derby.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES (31-48) | DH Andrew McCutchen | With no Home Run Derby champions in franchise history and an early exit in his lone appearance in 2012, McCutchen taking another shot late in his career would be a meaningful milestone. For the former NL MVP, it’s a second shot at the Derby and another way for him to etch his name into franchise history.

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (42-36) | 3B Nolan Arenado | In his 13th MLB season, Arenado launched his 350th home run of his career on Thursday, adding to a career that includes three NL home run titles and five Silver Sluggers. Despite his consistent power, he’s never taken a swing in the Home Run Derby — but if given the chance, he could be the first Cardinal to bring home the title. -- Taylor Bretl

NL West

Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez hits a two-run home run in the sixth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (39-38) | 3B Eugenio Suarez | Suarez won the LVBP (Liga Venezuela Baseball Professional) Home Run Derby this offseason and just blasted his 300th career homer in a weekend series in Colorado. His 25 homers are the fourth-most in all of baseball, making him a prime candidate to put on a show in Atlanta.

COLORADO ROCKIES (18-60) | OF Mickey Moniak | The former top overall draft pick has seemingly found a home in Colorado, where he’s third on the team in home runs with 11. Moniak’s story is great, plus he doesn’t look like your prototypical power hitter, adding a bit of a David vs. Goliath feel to the Derby if he were to be included.

LOS ANGELES DODGERS (48-31) | DH Shohei Ohtani | The Japanese phenom is must-watch television every time he steps to the plate, and was again in 2021 when he competed in his last Home Run Derby. Seeing him in the Derby again in 2025 after leading the National League in homers (26) heading into Monday’s action would indeed be a dream scenario for MLB fans.

SAN DIEGO PADRES (42-35) | OF Fernando Tatis Jr. | He leads the Padres in home runs (14) and has plenty of style when he does it, making his power and pizzazz a perfect blend for the Home Run Derby. “El Nino” has never taken part in the Home Run Derby, so perhaps 2025 will be the year?

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (44-34) | DH Rafael Devers | We just haven’t heard enough about Devers yet this season, so why not give him a little time in the spotlight? All jokes aside, Devers has 16 home runs this season and has a history of power, making him a solid choice to compete in Atlanta. -- Kevin Henry

Taylor Bretl

Taylor Bretl writes about Major League Baseball with a focus on the Milwaukee Brewers. He is founder of Around the Globe Baseball.

Kevin Henry

A member of the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA), Kevin Henry has been covering MLB and MiLB for nearly two decades. Those assignments have included All-Star Games and the MLB postseason, including the World Series. Based in the Denver area, Kevin calls Coors Field his home base, but travels throughout North America during the season to discover the best stories possible

Lauren Amour

Lauren Amour is a writer and editor based in the Greater Philadelphia area. She works as an editor and writer at Yardbarker, covering MLB and the Philadelphia Phillies.

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