The Atlanta Braves will be represented when the Home Run Derby comes to Truist Park for the first time in just a few weeks time. The representative...none other than superstar Ronald Acuña Jr. The Braves' best player announced earlier this week that he planned to participate in this year's derby if he was invited. Just a few days later the invitation was sent.
Acuña Jr. is the first announced participant in the 2025 derby, and he'll look to become the first Atlanta Brave ever to take home the crown. It will be Ronald's third derby in his career, with his last coming in 2022 when he was bounced in the first round by Mets first baseman Pete Alonso.
Can’t have the Home Run Derby in Atlanta without The Beast 😤@ronaldacunajr24 | #HRDerby pic.twitter.com/yJnFonE4qf
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) June 25, 2025
Braves get best possible representative for hometown Home Run Derby in Ronald Acuña Jr.
Acuña Jr. has returned from injury with a vengeance, and his power stroke rivals the best of his career. In just 29 games since his return, Acuña Jr. owns a 1.188 OPS, and has nine home runs in just 104 at-bats.
Even though Ronald has played significantly fewer games than other National League outfielders, he's making a real push to make the All-Star team outright. Hopefully, he'll continue to amaze us and leave Dave Roberts and company no choice but to add him to the roster so that MLB has one of their absolute best at the midsummer classic.
Regardless, watching Ronald in the derby will be a treat in itself so let's hope he can showcase just how powerful he is with an inspiring derby performance. As we inch closer to All-Star weekend more and more participants will be announced.
Sluggers like Cal Raleigh, Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge, and many more are likely invitees to the derby, but no matter which players round out the field it's clear Ronald Acuña Jr. will have the most fan support in the building. Ronald's trophy case already has a MVP and Rookie of the Year trophy, and now it's time to add a Home Run Derby trophy as well.