The 2025 MLB All-Star Home Run Derby brought wild moments, milestones, and some real electricity. Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh stole the spotlight, no question there.
Raleigh became the first catcher and the first switch-hitter to win the Derby. He wrapped up the night with a gritty 18-15 win over Tampa Bay’s Junior Caminero in the final round.
Here’s a closer look at how Raleigh pulled it off and why this year’s Derby hit different for baseball fans.
Cal Raleigh: Breaking Barriers and Making History
Raleigh entered the Derby as one of the league’s most dangerous power hitters. He’d already smashed 38 homers by the All-Star break.
But this win wasn’t just another stat for him—it was something the Derby hadn’t seen before. Raleigh became the first catcher ever to take home the crown, joining a pretty exclusive club of Derby champs.
He also switched things up, literally, by hitting bombs from both sides of the plate. That kind of versatility just hasn’t been common in a contest usually ruled by righties or lefties, not both.
The Road to Victory
Raleigh’s journey started with a tense first round against Oakland’s Brent Rooker. Both hitters tied, but Raleigh edged ahead after a razor-thin tiebreaker.
He launched a 470.61-foot homer—barely enough to squeak past Rooker by less than an inch. The suspense just kept building from there.
In the semis, Raleigh faced Pittsburgh’s Oneil Cruz, who blasted the Derby’s longest home run at a wild 513 feet. Raleigh kept cool, though, and beat Cruz 19-13 to move on to the final.
There, he took on Tampa Bay rookie Junior Caminero. Raleigh hit three more homers than Caminero to seal the win.
A Family-Filled Finale
The night had some real heart, too. Raleigh’s dad, Todd, pitched to him, throwing strike after strike so Cal could rack up homers.
Raleigh’s younger brother handled catching duties. The whole family played a part, and you could feel that connection on the field.
It was a moment that reminded everyone why we love baseball—full of emotion and a bit of nostalgia. Fans everywhere felt it.
Junior Caminero: A Worthy Opponent
On the other side, Caminero put on a show of his own. The 21-year-old squeezed past Minnesota’s Byron Buxton in a tight semi-final, winning 8-7 with some serious patience and timing.
He didn’t quite catch Raleigh in the final, but Caminero definitely made his mark. He’s one of the game’s brightest young stars, and this Derby just proved it.
First-Round Standouts
The first round had its share of drama, too. Alongside Raleigh, Cruz, and Caminero, the field included Atlanta’s Matt Olson, Washington’s James Wood, Miami’s Jazz Chisholm Jr., and Brent Rooker.
Olson, Wood, Chisholm Jr., and Rooker didn’t make it past the first round, but each brought something special. The Derby still stands out as one of baseball’s most entertaining nights.
A Nod to Mariners History
Raleigh’s win puts him in rare company with Mariners legend Ken Griffey Jr.—the only player to win the Derby three times. Now, Raleigh and Griffey are the only Mariners to ever win it.
For Seattle fans, that’s pretty huge. With $1 million and a slice of Mariners history in his pocket, Raleigh’s Derby night felt downright iconic.
Why This Derby Mattered
The 2025 Home Run Derby wasn’t just another exhibition of power at the plate. It celebrated the diversity of talent in today’s MLB, from rookies like Caminero to breakout stars like Raleigh.
Storytelling played a big role, too. Raleigh’s family got involved, and Cruz launched a moonshot that had everyone buzzing.
Fans walked away with memories that remind them why they love baseball. It’s about human achievements, dramatic moments, and that wild sense that anything might happen in America’s pastime.
As Cal Raleigh trotted off the field with the championship trophy in hand, he left a lasting impression. He didn’t just win the 2025 Home Run Derby—he pushed the competition to new heights.
Mariners fans, and honestly, baseball aficionados everywhere, probably won’t forget that night anytime soon.
Here is the source article for this story: Dumper’s delight: Cal Raleigh becomes first catcher to win Home Run Derby
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