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.

SportsLine's model is up 34.65 units on HR picks this season. Use its MLB picks for MLB sportsbook promotions like MLB profit boosts

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.

Perhaps the biggest bright spot in what's otherwise been a very disappointing season for the Washington Nationals has been the emergence of star slugger James W

Pittsburgh Pirates slugger Oneil Cruz smashed a historic 513-foot home run at the 2025 Home Run Derby, stunning fans and breaking records.

Pittsburgh Pirates slugger Oneil Cruz gave MLB fans the show they wanted at the Home Run Derby by crushing a baseball to another stratosphere.

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Nationals' James Wood Has Simple Plan for Prize Money If He Wins Home Run Derby. Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood is one of eight batters that will compete in the 2025 Home Run Derby ahead of the MLB All-Star Game.