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Former MVP becomes first player to commit to Home Run Derby

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated Jun 25, 2025 7:38 PM ET

Major League Baseball has convinced a big-name star to take part in the 2025 Home Run Derby.

In an appearance on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” Wednesday, Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. announced that he would take part in the Home Run Derby. Acuna will be the hometown favorite, with the 2025 All-Star festivities set to take place at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia.

Ronald Acuña Jr. has announced he will be participating in the 2025 HR Derby in Atlanta @elleduncanESPN pic.twitter.com/RjR2M7Dzjj
— ESPN (@espn) June 25, 2025

This is the third time Acuna will compete in the Home Run Derby. He made it to the second round in 2019 but was eliminated in the first round of the 2022 event, both times falling to Pete Alonso of the New York Mets.

MLB has had a difficult time getting big-name stars to do the Home Run Derby. That may still remain the case this year as the league tries to fill out a full field, but they will at least have Acuna to point to.

Acuna is the first player to confirm his participation in the 2025 event. He has just nine home runs on the season, but he has reached that total in 104 at-bats since returning from injury on May 23.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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