Reds' Elly De La Cruz Declined to Participate in 2025 MLB HR Derby
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz revealed on Friday that he declined to appear in the 2025 MLB Home Run Derby, according to C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic.
De La Cruz has recorded 18 home runs in 81 games to begin the 2025 season, tied for the ninth-most among all players in the National League.
He's continued to showcase his power at the plate recently, racking up six homers in his past 13 games.
De La Cruz has received invitations to compete in the Home Run Derby during all three seasons of his budding MLB career, but declined them. He left the door open to eventually participating after turning down the 2024 event, though.
“I don’t want to do it right now,” De La Cruz said during the 2024 season, per Jordan Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer. “At some point in my career, yeah. But not right now.”
Three Reds players have won the Home Run Derby since the competition was first introduced. Hall of Fame right fielder Dave Parker emerged victorious in 1985, outfielder Eric Davis was named a co-champion in 1989 and infielder Todd Frazier secured a win of his own in 2015.
The list of participants in the upcoming derby is still taking shape, with Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. and Seattle Mariners star Cal Raleigh already confirmed.
De La Cruz could still find himself included in the overall All-Star festivities after turning down the Home Run Derby, slashing .277/.351/.511 with 55 RBIs and 21 stolen bases to go along with his 18 homers this season.
