Home Run Derby: Cal Raleigh, Junior Caminero to battle for title

Seattle’s Cal Raleigh and Tampa Bay’s Junior Caminero advanced to the final round of the All-Star Home Run Derby on Monday night after a dramatic power display at Atlanta’s Truist Park.

Raleigh, who leads the majors with 38 home runs, eliminated Pittsburgh’s Oneil Cruz 19-13 in the semifinals. Cruz, despite launching a towering 513-foot blast-the longest of the night and the hardest-hit at 118 mph-was knocked out after Raleigh’s consistent barrage.

Caminero edged out Minnesota’s Byron Buxton 8-7 in a tighter, low-scoring semifinal.



Earlier in the night, Cruz and Caminero each hit 21 home runs in the opening round, with Buxton following closely at 20. Raleigh and Brent Rooker of the A’s both hit 17, but Raleigh advanced via tiebreaker thanks to a slightly longer homer - 470.61 feet to Rooker’s 470.53.


Notable performances included Washington’s James Wood, who smashed a 486-foot homer and even reached the roof of the Chop House in right field with one swing. Atlanta’s hometown hero Matt Olson disappointed local fans with a first-round exit, managing just 15 homers-his second straight first-round elimination.

Raleigh’s Derby run had a family flair. He was pitched to by his father, Todd Raleigh, a former college coach, while his younger brother Todd Jr. caught behind the plate. The Mariners catcher became only the second switch-hitter to participate in the Derby after Adley Rutschman in 2023. Raleigh began left-handed, switched to righty midway, and returned to the left side for the bonus round and semifinals.

The final promises a fierce slugfest as Raleigh and Caminero square off for the crown.