The hometown favorite, Acuña has been one of the best hitters in the majors since returning from his second ACL surgery. This will be his third career Home Run Derby; he lost to Mets first baseman Pete Alonso in both 2019 and 2022. With the event taking place in Atlanta, the timing is right for him to finally take the prize.

Minnesota Twins star Byron Buxton, a Georgia native, will partake in the 2025 Home Run Derby. Major League Baseball made the announcement on Monday, a week before the Derby is slated to be held at Truist Park, the regular-season home of the Atlanta Braves.

Buxton announced his plans to compete in next Monday’s Home Run Derby on his Instagram account a day after he was named the Twins’ lone representative in the All-Star Game. It will be his second Midsummer Classic but the first time he’s participated in the derby.