Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. turned the primary participant to declare for the 2025 House Run Derby on Wednesday, asserting his resolution shortly earlier than taking the sphere in opposition to the New York Mets (GameTracker). This 12 months’s Derby will happen on July 14, at Truist Park, the Braves’ dwelling stadium in Cumberland, Georgia.
“I am Ronald Acuña Jr. due to them,” the four-time All-Star stated by means of an interpreter on ESPN of his hometown followers.
Acuña, 27, has participated in two earlier Derbies: one in 2019, the opposite in 2022. He was eradicated by New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso on each events. Acuña had beforehand indicated that he would participate once more this summer time if the league requested him.
Acuña has performed excellently since getting back from the torn ACL that prematurely ended his 2024 marketing campaign. In 29 video games to this point, he is hit .385/.496/.692 (227 OPS+) with 9 dwelling runs, 16 runs batted in, and 4 stolen bases (on 4 makes an attempt). His contributions have already been price an estimated 2 Wins Above Alternative, in response to Baseball Reference’s calculations.
Though Acuña would not lead the Braves in dwelling runs — he is tied with Sean Murphy for fourth, behind Matt Olson, Austin Riley, and Marcell Ozuna — he’s a logical option to symbolize the house market. If nothing else, he is the largest star on the roster: a former Most Worthwhile Participant Award winner and four-time All-Star who additionally counts a Rookie of the Yr Award and three Silver Slugger Awards amongst his earned {hardware}.
Whereas Acuña is the Derby’s first official entrant, different gamers across the league have signaled both their curiosity or disinterest in collaborating. Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, who entered Wednesday main the majors in lengthy balls, and Baltimore Orioles first baseman Ryan O’Hearn have each recommended they might be recreation. Conversely, New York Yankees star Aaron Decide and Chicago Cubs breakout outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong have every stated no to the concept.
