Brent Rooker Enters 2025 MLB HR Derby, Joins Acuna, Raleigh, Buxton, More

There is only one spot left open in the 2025 MLB Home Run Derby after Brent Rooker of the Athletics became the seventh player to confirm his participation in the event.

Rooker announced on Instagram that he is joining the Derby field: "Competing in the Home Run Derby has always been a dream of mine. Can’t wait to make it happen next week in Atlanta! See ya there!"

The other confirmed participants in the Home Run Derby include Ronald Acuña Jr., Cal Raleigh, Byron Buxton, James Wood, Junior Caminero and Oneil Cruz.

Rooker was named to the All-Star team on Sunday when the reserves and pitchers were unveiled. It marks his second appearance in the Midsummer Classic in the past three seasons.

The 30-year-old Rooker has been a terrific developmental success story for the A's. He joined the organization in November 2022 after being claimed off waivers following years of bouncing between the big leagues and minors.

After his breakout 2023, Rooker performed even better last year. He hit .293/.365/.562 with 39 homers to finish 10th in AL MVP voting. The last A's player to hit at least .290 with 30 homers and 100 RBI prior to Rooker was Miguel Tejada in 2002.

Rooker is having another terrific year in 2025 with a .270/.346/.489 slash line and 19 homers in 94 games. He is the first A's player to enter the Home Run Derby since Matt Olson in 2021.

Yoenis Cespedes and Mark McGwire are the only Athletics players who have won the Derby. Cespedes is the last player to win in consecutive years (2013 and 2014). Pete Alonso won two straight Derbys in 2019 and '21, but his streak was interrupted because the event wasn't held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2025 Home Run Derby will be held on July 14 at Truist Park in Atlanta.