Pirates’ Oneil Cruz Electrifies in Home Run Derby; One Measures 513 Feet
Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz entered the Home Run Derby in Atlanta as one of the favorites to win it all. Though he was eliminated in the semifinals, he did not disappoint.
Cruz was the fourth player to get his turn after the Nationals’ James Wood (16 home runs) the A’s Brent Rooker (17) and the Rays’ Junior Caminero (21). Fittingly for a Pirates’ player, Cruz ended his round tied for the lead with 21 home runs.
Cruz got off to a hot start, hitting home runs on each of his first few swings. Cruz’s eighth home run of the round was the most impressive. The blast measured a staggering 513 feet and had an exit velocity of 118 mph.
THINGS ARE GETTING OUT OF HAND 🤯
ONEIL CRUZ HITS THIS BASEBALL 513 FEET and 118 MPH 🚀 pic.twitter.com/2mtVUCSyEn
— MLB (@MLB) July 15, 2025
At the end of his round, Cruz’s thunderous bat was responsible for five of the six top home run distances. In addition to his 513-foot blast, Cruz recorded distances of 488, 487, 483 and 479 feet.
Four more players will follow Cruz in the first round of the derby — Byron Buxton (Twins), Jazz Chisholm Jr. (Yankees), Cal Raleigh (Mariners)Â and Matt Olson (Braves). The top four players advance to the second round.
513 Feet is Craazy!!! Put on a show Cruz
— Andrew McCutchen (@TheCUTCH22) July 15, 2025
Cruz became the first Pirates’ player to advance past the first round of the home run derby. As the one seed, he matched up against Raleigh, the four seed, who hit 19 home runs in the semifinal matchup.
Cruz topped out at 498 feet in the semifinals, but was eliminated after totaling 13 home runs.
Pirates coach/interpreter Stephen Morales threw to Cruz.
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