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Minnesota Twins All-Star Enters Home Run Derby
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- Minnesota Twins All-Star Enters Home Run Derby
Matt Krohn-Imagn Images Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
There had been rumblings that Byron Buxton had interest in competing as part of the 2025 Home Run Derby field. First he was named an All-Star on Sunday afternoon, and now he's set to expand his participation during the break.
Buxton is headed back to Georgia where the Baxley native will show off in front of a home crowd. The Minnesota Twins outfielder was named an All-Star for the second time during his career. This will be the first time he has participated in the Major League Baseball Home Run Derby.
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Byron Buxton joins Home Run Derby field
The Minnesota Twins don't get a significant amount of national love. That's evident given the All-Star Game snub of pitcher Joe Ryan . It's also reflective of an underperforming team that currently sits at 43-47 . Byron Buxton will put them on center stage July 14th during the Home Run Derby though.
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He's been MASHING all season!
Next stop: Home Run Derby!!!! pic.twitter.com/4r32VkPMQo— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) July 7, 2025
The Buck Truck is pulling out of Minnesota and taking aim at Truist Park next week. In 73 games this season Buxton has batted .270/.334/.544 with 20 home runs. He hit a career-high 28 home runs in 2022, the same season he made his first All-Star Game appearance. It's certainly possible he blows by that number this year.
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During the 2022 All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium, Buxton hit a game-winning home run for the American League team. Following a two-run Giancarlo Stanton dinger, Buxton's back-to-back blast was the difference as the American League won 3-2.
What theatrics Buxton provides in the actual game this year remain to be seen. He has hit some tape-measure shots this season though, and he'll launch them into the night on Monday July 14th in Atlanta . The rest of the field includes Seattle 's Cal Raleigh , Atlanta's Ronald Acuna Jr. , and Washington's James Wood.
MN Twins past HR Derby experience
Buxton isn't the first Minnesota Twins player to take part in the Home Run Derby. In fact, despite it being remembered as the Josh Hamilton show, Justin Morneau won the event at Yankee Stadium in 2008.
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Byron Buxton becomes the first MN Twins player to compete in the derby since Miguel Sano did so in Miami during the 2017 event. Tom Brunansky, Gary Gaetti, Torii Hunter , Joe Mauer , and Brian Dozier have also all represented Minnesota in the Home Run Derby.
Brian Dozier represented Minnesota during the 2014 Home Run Derby that was held at Target Field. He competed against former teammate Justin Morneau who was a member of the Colorado Rockies at the time. Dozier hit just two longballs in the event.
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This seems like an event Buxton could excel in. His swing is compact and quick while not exerting significant energy. He also will have plenty of home crowd help playing in front of his fellow Georgians.
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