Atlanta, GA — Cal Raleigh made history Monday night at Truist Park, smashing 18 home runs in the final round to defeat Junior Caminero and become the first catcher ever to win the MLB Home Run Derby.
Nicknamed “The Big Dumper,” the Seattle Mariners slugger put on a show from start to finish, totaling 54 home runs across the three-round event. Raleigh, who leads Major League Baseball with 38 homers at the All-Star break, hit bombs thrown by his father while his brother served as his catcher — turning the moment into a true family affair.
“This means the world,” Raleigh said afterward. “Honestly, I could’ve hit zero home runs and still had the time of my life. It was unbelievable.”
With his victory, Raleigh earned a $1 million prize and joined Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. as the only Mariners players to ever win the Derby.
The Final Round:
Raleigh opened the final with 18 towering blasts, creating a sizable gap that Caminero couldn’t quite close. The Tampa Bay Rays rising star hit 14 in regulation and managed just one more in bonus time, finishing with 15 and falling three short.
Semifinals Recap:
In the semifinals, Caminero narrowly edged Byron Buxton of the Twins, 8-7, while Raleigh powered through a high-profile showdown with Oneil Cruz of the Pirates. Cruz, who launched the longest homer of the night — a jaw-dropping 513-foot shot — fell short as Raleigh hammered 19 to Cruz’s 13.
First Round Drama:
The opening round featured a mix of power and drama. Caminero set the tone early with 21 homers. Cruz matched that total, while Buxton added 20 of his own. Raleigh tied Brent Rooker at 17, but advanced due to a tiebreaker — his longest home run traveled 470.61 feet, edging Rooker’s 470.54 by just 0.07 feet.
Meanwhile, Nationals rookie James Wood (16), Braves slugger Matt Olson (15), Athletics DH Brent Rooker (17), and Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. (3) were eliminated in the first round. Wood notably launched a 486-foot bomb to right field, while Rooker sent three over 450 feet.
A Night of Power:
Throughout the night, fans at Truist Park were treated to an explosion of power, with several homers clearing the Chop House restaurant in right field. The event not only delivered fireworks, but also a historic first as a catcher claimed the crown.
What’s Next:
The 2025 MLB All-Star Game takes place Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET, live from Atlanta and airing on FOX.
