Oneil Cruz has been invited to be a part of next week’s MLB Home Run Derby in Atlanta. The event is part of the All-Star Game festivities. He will be the first Pirate to participate in the annual Home Run Derby since Josh Bell in 2019 and seventh Pirate ever invited to participate. The Derby takes place Monday night.
Cruz leads all Pirates hitters with 16 home runs this season. He has garnered national attention for his ability to crush the baseball. On May 25th of this season, Cruz smashed a home run that traveled 432 feet at an exit velocity of 122.9 mph. The blast was the hardest recorded hit in the Statcast era, which dates back to 2015. He has also been a batting leader this season in exit velocity and bat speed.
Paul Skenes will be the only Pirates All-Star representative on the actual National League roster.
Two minor league prospects will participate in the 2025 MLB All-Star Futures Game – this weekend. Konnor Griffin, of Single-A Greensboro and Esmerlyn Valdez of Double-A Altoona. The game will be televised on the MLB Network Saturday July 12) at 4pm
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