The Swashbuckling Cruz has a chance to show off his power on the big stage!
The Pittsburgh Pirates will be sending another player to the All-Star festivities as it was announced that centerfielder Oneil Cruz will be competing in this year’s Home Run Derby.
Cruz will be competing in his ever HR Derby, as he declined the invitation last year, wanting to focus on his physical condition in his first season back from injury. This year though, there has been plenty of talk of the Buccos slugger being added to the group. Cruz said that his family were big campaigners on his behalf.
They’re happier than me, for sure,” Cruz said about his sons Oneil and Owen. “They’re going to enjoy the whole thing.”
Even without his fans and family playing their role in this whole thing, it has been undeniable that Cruz would be great to see in this competition. Obviously, he can hammer the ball with the best of them, but his Statcast record is what really helps him shine above in this derby. Cruz has an average exit velocity of 96.1 MPH, which leads all Major Leaguers. He also has the hardest hit ball in the Statcast era (since 2015), as his homer on May 25 clocked in at 122.9 MPH! Quite simply, there is no one hitting the ball harder than Cruz.
Who else but Oneil Cruz to hit a HR 458 ft. pic.twitter.com/iMBx0T0Gsc
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) July 9, 2025
His personal record for farthest hit ball came in at 472 feet, off a homer he hit back in 2024. This year he clobbered a ball an estimated 463 feet, and in Tuesday night’s contest against the Kansas City Royals, he smashed one for 458 feet, showing off his chops fresh off the news of his participation.
Cruz will be joining a stacked field this year in Atlanta alongside the Braves’ Ronald Acuna Jr., the Mariners’ Cal Raleigh, the Twins’ Byron Buxton, and the Nationals’ James Wood. Cruz was the last to be added to the competition, but certainly has a great chance to impress.
Cruz will be the seventh Bucco to compete in the tournament, and has a chance to be the first Pirate to ever advance past the first round of the derby.