The Home Run Derby is one of the most exciting events of the year, as some of MLB's premier power hitters go all-out for the crown of home run king.
The secret to winning the Home Run Derby is a great pitcher who allows each player to swing at strikes right down the middle. Each player must decide who they trust most to throw them batting practice on the biggest batting practice stage.
So, who are the unsung heroes also competing in this year's contest? Here is a list of everyone who is pitching during the 2025 Home Run Derby.
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Who is pitching at 2025 Home Run Derby?
| Batter | Pitcher | Relationship |
| Byron Buxton | Tommy Watkins | Twins third base coach |
| Junior Caminero | Tomas Francisco | Rays field coordinator |
| Jazz Chisholm Jr. | Geron Sands | Stepfather |
| Oneil Cruz | Stephen Morales | Pirates coach and interpreter |
| Matt Olson | Eddie Perez | Braves assistant coach |
| Cal Raleigh | Todd Raleigh | Father |
| Brent Rooker | Joe Caruso | High school hitting coach |
| James Wood | Ricky Gutierrez | Nationals third base coach |
Tommy Watkins (Byron Buxton)
Tommy Watkins is a long-time Twins coach. He's been with the major league team since 2019, but he's been a part of the organization for almost two decades as a player or coach.
"That's pretty special, for him to ask me to do it," Watkins said, via The Minnesota Star-Tribune. "When he asked me, I was kind of caught off guard. Not caught off guard, I guess, but I was honored. And it was a little emotional. After he asked me, I didn't think there were many words said by either one of us. I think I teared up, and he started to, too."
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Tomas Francisco (Junior Caminero)
Caminero's pitcher will be Tomas Francisco, who serves as the Rays' Major League field coordinator during the year. Francisco also throws batting practice to the team, which is why he is Caminero's choice.
"To me, he's the best BP thrower that we have – and probably anywhere," Caminero said, via MLB.com.
Francisco is a veteran of the Home Run Derby, as he threw to Randy Arozarena in the 2023 contest.
Geron Sands (Jazz Chisholm Jr.)
Chisholm will have his stepfather pitch to him, as there is familiarity between the two. Sands has thrown to Chisholm in Bahamian home run derbies during the offseason, giving the pair a potential leg up.
"He throws to me all the time. When I was a kid, he's been throwing to me," Chisholm said, via SNY. "He throws to me all the time in the Bahamas Derby. So, ain't nothing new to us."
Stephen Morales (Oneil Cruz)
Stephen Morales is both Cruz's interpreter and batting practice pitcher, so he will join the Pirates star in Atlanta. Cruz is hoping to put on a show during the competition.
"I like to hit balls far," he said, via MLB.com. "I think I'm going to enjoy it a lot."
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Eddie Perez (Matt Olson)
Perez is a longtime member of the Braves organization, first for the majority of his playing career between 1995 and 2005, then as a coach since 2007. Perez has held a variety of roles in his time as a Braves coach, including as bullpen coach and first base coach.
Not only will Perez join Olson at the Home Run Derby, it will be extra special that he will be doing so in Atlanta. Perez never made an All-Star Game in his 11-year career, but he was on Atlanta's 1995 World Series championship team.
Todd Raleigh (Cal Raleigh)
Raleigh's father, Todd, will throw to the MLB home-run leader during this year's derby. Additionally, Raleigh hopes that his brother, Todd Jr., will be behind the dish during the event.
"As a dad, it doesn't get any better than that. It's all downhill from there," Todd Raleigh told MLB.com . “To be able to be there with him on the field and have [Todd Jr.] involved, I mean, it's kind of like one of those Hallmark moments."
MORE: Number of rounds, time limits and other rules and formatting for Home Run Derby
Joe Caruso (Brent Rooker)
Rooker has tabbed his childhood hitting coach as his HR Derby pitcher. Joe Caruso began coaching Rooker when the Athletics' slugger was 9, and he remained in that role until Rooker graduated high school.
"He throws to me in the offseason now," Rooker said, via MLB.com. "He's probably seen me hit in the cage more than anybody and has thrown to me more than anybody. So, it should be a good relationship out there."
Ricky Gutierrez (James Wood)
Ricky Gutierrez has been a Nationals coach since last year, but he throws batting practice to Wood before games.
"It's BP, so I'll probably just figure it out as we go along," Wood said, via MLB.com. "I'm pretty comfortable with Ricky. I'll just have some fun. I'm not really gonna take it too serious, you know?"
Wood said the biggest test for him will be if he has the stamina to swing for two minutes straight.
"When I was like 12, I did some home run derbies," he said. "The prizes were like a bat, so it's a little different now."
MORE: Breaking down MLB home run records