In a thrilling announcement, Oneil Cruz of the Pittsburgh Pirates will undoubtedly bring his powerful swings to this year’s Home Run Derby. Considered one of baseball’s strongest hitters, he joins players like Byron Buxton from the Minnesota Twins, James Wood from the Washington Nationals, Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners, and the Atlanta Braves’ own Ronald Acuña Jr..

Cruz, 26, holds the record for the hardest hit ball in the Statcast era, smashing a remarkable 122.9 mph. He has been a key player this season, hitting .203/.315/.402 with 15 homers and leading the league with 28 stolen bases.

Buxton, while facing an injury-prone career, is having an excellent season with stats of .270/.334/.544, including 20 home runs, making him a fan favorite at the Derby scheduled for July 13 at Truist Park.

Wood, a promising newcomer at 22 years old, has made an impressive impact with a batting average of .283 and 22 home runs this season, making him a formidable competitor. Meanwhile, Cal Raleigh leads the league with his powerful performance, having hit 32 home runs this season and showcasing his talent perfectly for this summer’s event.

Acuña Jr., already a two-time Derby participant and notable star, aims to captivate his home crowd while improving on his past performances.

With contenders like these, the Home Run Derby promises to be a spectacular event, showcasing the best talents of major league baseball.