Million-Dollar Prize Awaits the Home Run King

The 2025 MLB Home Run Derby is set to deliver not only fireworks at the plate but also a lucrative payday. Scheduled for Monday, July 14, at Truist Park in Atlanta, the winner of this year’s edition will take home a massive $1,000,000 USD.

That figure exceeds the base salary of many young players in Major League Baseball, making the derby an event of both prestige and financial reward. The runner-up will receive $500,000, and each participant will be awarded $150,000 just for taking part. Additionally, a $25,000 bonus is on the line for the player who hits the longest home run of the event.

Participants, Format, and Schedule

This year guarantees a new champion, as none of the eight contenders have previously won the Home Run Derby. The lineup features:

• Cal Raleigh (Seattle Mariners)
• Matt Olson (Atlanta Braves)
• James Wood (Washington Nationals)
• Byron Buxton (Minnesota Twins)
• Oneil Cruz (Pittsburgh Pirates)
• Junior Caminero (Tampa Bay Rays)
• Brent Rooker (Oakland Athletics)
• Jazz Chisholm Jr. (New York Yankees)

The derby will be contested in three stages: First Round, Semifinals, and Final. In the opening round, each player will have 3 minutes or 40 pitches to hit as many home runs as possible. A bonus round allows for up to 4 outs if a home run of at least 425 feet is recorded.

The top four sluggers advance to the semifinals, with direct elimination brackets: the No. 1 seed faces No. 4, and No. 2 meets No. 3. In both the semifinals and final, players get 2 minutes or 27 pitches. Ties are broken with a 60-second tiebreaker, followed by three swings if necessary.

The 2025 MLB Home Run Derby begins at 5:00 PM (PT) / 7:00 PM (CT) / 8:00 PM (ET) on July 14, and will crown a brand-new champion in one of baseball’s most thrilling showcases.