'That's what I do:' Cruz excited for Home Run Derby
Oneil Cruz will compete in the 2025 Home Run Derby on July 14 at Truist Park in Atlanta and is excited to showcase his power.
"That's what I do. I like to hit balls far," Cruz said through interpreter and assistant coach Stephen Morales, who will pitch to Cruz in the event. "I think I'm going to enjoy it a lot."
He'll compete against Atlanta's Ronald Acuña Jr., Seattle's Cal Raleigh, Washington's James Wood, and Minnesota's Byron Buxton. He's the seventh Pirate to participate, joining Bobby Bonilla (1990), Barry Bonds (1992), Jason Bay (2005), Andrew McCutchen (2012), Pedro Alvarez (2013) and Josh Bell (2013).
Cruz has hit a team-high 15 home runs. On May 25 against the Brewers, he hit a 432-foot home run with an exit velocity of 122.9 mph, the hardest-hit ball and home run in the Statcast era. He ranks in the 99th or 100th percentile in average exit velocity (96.1 mph), barrel percentage (21.5%), hard-hit percentage (56.9%) and bat speed (78.9 mph).
"I'm going to try once in a while to hit one like I know how to hit it, really far, that way people can enjoy that," Cruz said.
Cruz said he was asked to participate in the event last year, but declined because he was still recovering from the ankle injury he suffered in 2023 and wasn't "feeling that good" at the time. He was also encouraged by his wife, Lovely, and kids, Oneil Jr. and Owen, to participate.
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THE ASYLUM
Greg Macafee
6:28 am - 07.08.2025KANSAS CITY, Mo.'That's what I do:' Cruz excited for Home Run Derby
Oneil Cruz will compete in the 2025 Home Run Derby on July 14 at Truist Park in Atlanta and is excited to showcase his power.
"That's what I do. I like to hit balls far," Cruz said through interpreter and assistant coach Stephen Morales, who will pitch to Cruz in the event. "I think I'm going to enjoy it a lot."
He'll compete against Atlanta's Ronald Acuña Jr., Seattle's Cal Raleigh, Washington's James Wood, and Minnesota's Byron Buxton. He's the seventh Pirate to participate, joining Bobby Bonilla (1990), Barry Bonds (1992), Jason Bay (2005), Andrew McCutchen (2012), Pedro Alvarez (2013) and Josh Bell (2013).
Cruz has hit a team-high 15 home runs. On May 25 against the Brewers, he hit a 432-foot home run with an exit velocity of 122.9 mph, the hardest-hit ball and home run in the Statcast era. He ranks in the 99th or 100th percentile in average exit velocity (96.1 mph), barrel percentage (21.5%), hard-hit percentage (56.9%) and bat speed (78.9 mph).
"I'm going to try once in a while to hit one like I know how to hit it, really far, that way people can enjoy that," Cruz said.
Cruz said he was asked to participate in the event last year, but declined because he was still recovering from the ankle injury he suffered in 2023 and wasn't "feeling that good" at the time. He was also encouraged by his wife, Lovely, and kids, Oneil Jr. and Owen, to participate.
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