Raleigh will become the second-ever player to switch hit in the Derby ( Adley Rutschman in 2023, lost 2nd round), plus no catcher has ever won the derby. This is year 39 of the event, so odds are against Raleigh despite him being the favorite.

This home run sparked a lot of good reactions from Woods's fellow MLB stars. His Derby opponent Byron Buxton of the Minnesota Twins had a spot-on reaction when the camera panned to him. His jaw was dropped, similarly to how a lot of MLB fans at home looked when Wood crushed that ball.

Fresh faces take the batter’s box in Atlanta on Monday night for the 2025 Home Run Derby. The all-star event has seven first-time participants, including the Washington Nationals’ James Wood. The lone experienced player in the Derby,

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Washington Nationals slugger James Wood’s first appearance in the All-Star game home run derby didn’t result in a title. But he created some buzz pre-derby.During media day on Monday, he was asked what he would do with the prize money if he won the derby.

Expectations for this year's Home Run Derby have dipped with stars such as Byron Buxton, Ronald Acuna Jr., and James Wood opting out of this year's contest.