The MLB All-Star break is nearly here, which means it’s almost time for the Home Run Derby. With elite power hitters and some rising stars in the bracket, this year’s contest in Atlanta looks like it’ll be one of the most exciting in recent memory. Whether you’re betting for fun or trying to spot value deeper on the board, we’ve got you covered.

If you’re new to MLB betting or want to fine-tune your approach, check out our MLB betting guide. And don’t forget to read our updated World Series and MLB All-Star Game previews for full All-Star Week coverage.

When Is The MLB Home Run Derby?

The 2025 Derby is scheduled for Monday, July 14 at 6:00 PM PT / 9:00 PM ET, just one night before the All-Star Game.

Where Is The MLB Home Run Derby?

This year’s event will be held at Truist Park in Atlanta, home of the Braves. This is the first time the Braves’ new home has ever hosted the All-Star festivities. The last time the event took place in Atlanta was back in 2000 when the Braves called Turner Field home.

Who Won The MLB Home Run Derby 2024?

Teoscar Hernandez of the Los Angeles Dodgers took home the 2024 Derby title, edging out a stacked field with impressive power. His win added to a strong campaign and marked his first Derby title. It was, incredibly, also the first time a Dodger has ever won the competition.

2025 MLB Home Run Derby Odds

The following Home Run Derby odds are courtesy of the best sports betting sites:

Oneil Cruz leads the board at +330 and has the lefty leverage and long limbs that thrive in the Derby format. But there’s value behind him. Cal Raleigh has the kind of power swing that fits this environment perfectly and could benefit from avoiding Cruz early. Ronald Acuna Jr. is the most decorated player in the field, but don’t sleep on James Wood or Brent Rooker.

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MLB Home Run Derby Predictions

The following MLB players are considered the top contenders for the 2025 MLB Home Run Derby:

Oneil Cruz (+330)

Oneil Cruz is a physical outlier, and his Statcast profile for the 2025 season proves why he’s the rightful favorite at +330 to win the MLB Home Run Derby. Cruz stands at 6’7″ and brings a unique combination of bat speed, barrel control, and raw strength. His average exit velocity of 96.4 mph ranks among the best in baseball, and his max exit velocity of 118.2 mph is in the 99th percentile. That kind of top-end power is tailor-made for a Derby setting, especially in a ballpark like Truist Park that caters to left-handed pull hitters.

Digging deeper, Cruz’s barrel rate (15.3%) and hard-hit rate (57.8%) further detail his ability to consistently square up the baseball. While many players can mash mistakes, Cruz crushes everything. He’s also improved his plate discipline in 2025, striking out less than in previous years and focusing more on clean contact. His 16 home runs heading into the break don’t jump off the page compared to other sluggers in the field, but he hits the ball harder than just about anybody.

His spray chart tells an even more compelling story. The vast majority of his home runs are true no-doubters: pulled to right and right-center. These are not wall-scrapers, either, they’re absolute missiles. And in the Derby format, where fence height doesn’t matter and every swing is a green light, Cruz’s natural swing path and power should translate beautifully. Unlike more compact hitters who rely on timing, Cruz can hit 470-foot bombs even when he doesn’t barrel it perfectly.

He’s healthy for the first time in a few years, and his 2025 percentile rankings back up the eye test: elite in bat speed, elite in power, and well above average in contact quality. I see why Cruz is the favorite, but this is a wide-open field.

Cal Raleigh (+360)

If there’s a slugger built for the 2025 Home Run Derby format, it might just be Cal Raleigh, who’s enjoying a monster first half of the season. With 36 home runs through just 91 games, he’s pacing to obliterate his career high (34 in 2024) and potentially threaten the all-time single-season record for a catcher. His .631 slugging percentage and 1.008 OPS aren’t just career bests, they’re historic for a backstop, and he’s doing it while anchoring the middle of Seattle’s lineup. It’s rare for someone this hot to also carry plus power metrics across the board, but that’s exactly what Raleigh brings to the table.

Statcast backs it up: his Max Exit Velocity sits at 115.4 mph, and he ranks in the 96th percentile in both xSLG (.548) and barrel rate (15.5%). Raleigh’s home runs aren’t cheap either. His average launch angle is 24.8 degrees, and his LA Sweet-Spot% (balls hit in the ideal launch angle range) is among the league’s best. That combination of precision and pop is exactly what wins Derbies. He’s also squaring up the ball more often, reflected in a strong Hard-Hit% of 48.9%, yet another indicator that his swing path and timing are dialed in.

What makes Raleigh particularly dangerous is that he doesn’t need to overswing to generate distance. Many of his 2025 homers have come on controlled, inside-out swings that still travel 400+ feet. His spray chart shows a healthy mix of pull-side power and opposite-field damage, which bodes well in a tournament format where fatigue can sap precision. Even as the rounds progress, his repeatable swing gives him a chance to keep hitting homers late.

With his current pace and the confidence that comes from leading the majors in homers at the break, Cal Raleigh at +360 may be the sharpest play on the board. He’s not just a value bet—he’s a legitimate favorite hiding behind the odds.

James Wood (+600)

If you’re looking for a potential sleeper, James Wood is the most compelling pick to win the 2025 MLB Home Run Derby at +600. Still just 22 years old, Wood has emerged as a true star for the Nationals in his sophomore season, slashing .284/.387/.546 with 24 home runs in just 93 games. That’s not just breakout production for a young hitter; that’s elite, especially when you pair it with his .933 OPS and improved plate discipline. And unlike some Derby participants who rely on timing-based pop, Wood is an overwhelming physical force.

Wood’s Statcast page lights up in all the right areas for this format. His Max Exit Velocity of 117.9 mph is among the highest in baseball and places him in the 98th percentile. His average exit velocity of 93.8 mph is just as stellar, and he ranks in the 95th percentile in barrel rate (18.8%). That’s rarefied air even among power hitters. Every swing he takes has legitimate home run potential, and his compact, left-handed stroke is tailor-made for the Derby’s rhythm-based structure.

What separates Wood from other young hitters is the consistency of his batted-ball quality. His Hard-Hit Rate is 56.3%, and his xSLG of .576 backs up the surface stats. The sample size is large enough to suggest he’s no fluke. The ball explodes off his bat, and he’s shown the ability to pepper all fields with deep contact, including towering fly balls to right and right-center. His spray chart is filled with no-doubters, and his rolling xwOBA graph shows he’s been above league average all season long.

If he gets through the first round clean, Wood has the type of swing that could dominate an entire Derby. He gets natural lift on the ball, and brings the type of superstar upside that wins this event. At +600, he offers more payout than the favorites but with just as much firepower, if not more. James Wood might be the best bet on the board at +600. He’s undervalued!

Brent Rooker (+1000)

Brent Rooker might not have the same hype as the top names in the Home Run Derby field, but when it comes to raw home run production, he’s earned his spot. And at +1000, he offers sneaky value. Rooker has launched 19 home runs in 95 games this season while posting a .493 slugging percentage and an .839 OPS for the A’s. It’s his third straight season with serious power output.

His Statcast data confirms what we’ve seen in-game: Rooker crushes baseballs. His Max Exit Velocity of 114.9 mph ranks in the 96th percentile, and his barrel rate (14.5%) is backed by an Average Exit Velocity of 90.6 mph. Those numbers align closely with past Derby winners. Even more important is his launch angle of 18.5 degrees, which is a sweet spot for consistent longballs. Rooker’s easy, repeatable swing should suit him well in the Derby format.

This season, he’s also improved his pitch selection and hard contact frequency. His Hard-Hit Rate sits at 49.1%, and he’s cut down on his strikeouts significantly, with only 89 Ks through 95 games after posting over 170 each of the past two years. That’s a sign of a hitter seeing the ball well, which matters even in a format like the Derby. His xSLG of .558 and xWOBA of .379 are elite, and they’re not inflated by luck or stadium factors.

If you’re looking to bet outside the top three names, Rooker offers the ideal profile for an under-the-radar Derby run: high-end exit velo, pure power, improved discipline, and a long track record of run production. At +1000, he’s a legitimate threat to win the whole thing, and your bet slip will thank you if he gets hot.

Home Run Derby Predictions

James Wood is the best bet to win the 2025 Home Run Derby because he checks every box: elite power, consistent contact, and a swing built for the format. His left-handed stroke generates towering fly balls with minimal effort, and he’s already crushed 24 homers on the year.

Unlike some of the favorites who rely on brute strength or rhythm streaks, Wood combines both. He’s been on a steady power trajectory all season, and his batted-ball profile proves it’s sustainable. With excellent launch

Bet: James Wood (+600)

Home Run Derby Prop Bets

Check out some of the best prop bets for the 2025 Home Run Derby:

To Make the Final

Cal Raleigh (+155) leads MLB with 36 home runs as of this writing, and he ranks near the top of the league in barrel rate, xSLG, and launch angle. His repeatable swing and raw strength make the Big Dumper a compelling bet to make the final.

Another player I like for this prop bet is James Wood (+280). He has one of the highest Max Exit Velocities in the sport (117.9 mph) with a barrel rate pushing 19% and an OPS well over .900. This guy is a legitimate superstar already, and I think the 2025 Derby will be his coming-out party.

Bet: Cal Raleigh (+155), James Wood (+280)

Name the Finalists

The table above is a culled list of what I think will be of the likeliest final-round matchups. Yet, it’s not exactly breaking news if you’ve read this far, but I like these 2 hitters to eventually meet up in the final. Plus, we’re getting excellent value at +950.

Bet: Cal Raleigh vs. James Wood (+950)

Exact Result

Targeting the winner and runner-up in exact order can supercharge your return. So, betting on Wood to win the Derby straight-up at +600 is valuable, but there’s a lot more upside in betting on the exact result. I feel like the odds of Raleigh and Wood meeting in the final aren’t as high as they should be, so take this value and run with it while you still can.

Bet: James Wood beats Cal Raleigh (+2200)

MLB Home Run Derby Winners