Atlanta, GA – The 2025 T-Mobile MLB Home Run Derby at Truist Park witnessed a truly historic display of power, etched into the annals of baseball history by none other than the Pittsburgh Pirates’ phenom, Oneil Cruz. While the final crown went to Cal Raleigh, it was Cruz’s jaw-dropping 513-foot moonshot that left spectators, analysts, and fellow competitors in absolute awe, firmly stamping his name in the conversation of baseball’s most prodigious power hitters.
From the moment he stepped into the batter’s box, wielding a custom Donkey Kong-themed bat that would soon become as legendary as his swings, anticipation crackled through the humid Atlanta air. The 6-foot-7 shortstop, renowned for his elite exit velocity, was a dark horse favorite for many, but few could have predicted the sheer magnitude of his Derby debut.
In the electrifying first round, Cruz didn’t just hit home runs; he launched missiles. His 513-foot blast wasn’t merely the longest of the night; it was a shot heard ’round the baseball world. This colossal homer tied Aaron Judge’s record for the longest Home Run Derby dinger ever recorded outside of the high-altitude haven of Coors Field since Statcast began diligently tracking such metrics in 2016. Only a select few homers from the 2021 Derby at Coors Field (Juan Soto’s 520 feet, Trevor Story’s 518 feet, and Pete Alonso’s 514 feet) have traveled farther, placing Cruz’s monumental feat in truly elite company.
The Truist Park crowd, already buzzing with excitement, erupted as the ball sailed seemingly into orbit, reportedly even shattering a window in its descent. This singular swing wasn’t just a personal best for Cruz; it shattered the existing Truist Park home run record, previously held by Ronald Acuña Jr. at 495 feet from 2020. The sheer force behind the hit, with an exit velocity reaching 118 mph, was a testament to the raw, unadulterated power that Cruz brings to the game.
But the 513-foot bomb was just the tip of the iceberg of Cruz’s dominant performance. Throughout his rounds, he consistently showcased his ability to hit the ball at extreme distances. In the first round alone, a staggering five of his blasts traveled at least 475 feet. By the end of his Derby run, Cruz had notched an unprecedented 10 home runs exceeding the 475-foot mark in a non-Coors Derby, a testament to his consistent, long-ball prowess. His 498-foot shot in the semifinals further underscored his power-hitting capabilities, ranking as the second-longest of the entire event.
Despite entering the semifinals as the top seed, a remarkable achievement for a Derby newcomer, Cruz’s incredible run ultimately came to an end against the eventual champion, Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners. While the ultimate victory eluded him, Oneil Cruz’s performance was anything but a loss. He showcased a tantalizing glimpse into the future of power hitting in Major League Baseball, leaving an indelible mark on the Home Run Derby stage.
His participation was highly anticipated for a reason. Cruz has already made headlines for hitting the hardest-hit ball in the Statcast era, a scorching 122.9 mph single back in May 2025. This Derby display only reinforced his reputation as a hitter capable of generating unparalleled exit velocities and prodigious distances.
For baseball fans and analysts alike, Oneil Cruz’s 2025 Home Run Derby performance serves as a thrilling preview of what’s to come. His record-tying blast wasn’t just a moment of spectacle; it was a statement – a powerful declaration that the future of MLB’s long ball is in incredibly strong hands. The game’s landscape continues to evolve, with players like Cruz pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, ensuring that every swing carries the potential for a new, breathtaking record. The echoes of that 513-foot homer will resonate for seasons to come, forever linking Oneil Cruz with one of the most memorable Home Run Derby showcases in recent memory.
