Pirates' Oneil Cruz Will Bring His Record-Breaking Power to the Home Run Derby
FULTON COUNTY, GEORGIA, JUL 14 – Oneil Cruz joins the 2025 Home Run Derby as the player with the highest recorded homer exit velocity of 122.9 mph, despite having only 15 home runs this season.
- Oneil Cruz, a 26-year-old center fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates, accepted an invitation to compete in the Home Run Derby in Atlanta next Monday at Truist Park.
- Cruz earned the Derby spot following a season highlighted by a 458-foot homer in the fourth inning that tied a recent game and a record-breaking 122.9 mph exit velocity home run on May 25 against Milwaukee.
- Despite the Pirates' ongoing nine-game road trip resulting in an 0-5 record, Cruz hit his 16th home run Tuesday night at Kansas City, adding to his career-best 21 homers from the previous season.
- Cruz has 55 career home runs in 324 games, stands 6-foot-7 tall, and is recognized for delivering some of the hardest-hit balls and powerful throws recorded by Statcast.
- His appearance marks the first time since 2019 that a Pirate has competed in the Derby, while leading sluggers Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani are anticipated to pass on participating this year.
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Pirates Cruz heading to the Home Run Derby - ButlerRadio.com - Butler, PA
Oneil Cruz has been invited to be a part of next week’s MLB Home Run Derby in Atlanta. The event is part of the All-Star Game festivities. He will be the first Pirate to participate in the annual Home Run Derby since Josh Bell in 2019 and seventh Pirate ever invited to participate. The Derby takes place Monday night. Cruz leads all Pirates hitters with 16 home runs this season. He has garnered national attention for his ability to crush the base…
Pirates lose to Royals on Nick Loftin walk-off
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Nick Loftin hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the seventh inning, then won it in the ninth with a one-out RBI single as the Kansas City Royals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3 on Tuesday night. Rookie Jac Caglianone homered for the Royals, a 421-foot drive leading off the second inning that was his first extra-base hit in 14 games at Kauffman Stadium. He had been 5 for 46 at home before Tuesday. Pittsburgh’s Oneil Cruz tied it in…

Pirates’ Oneil Cruz will bring his record-breaking power to the Home Run Derby
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