Ronald Acuña Jr. will participate in the 2025 MLB Home Run Derby

Acuña will be taking part in the event for the third time but this time, he’ll be swinging for the fences in his own ballpark.

Ronald Acuña Jr. has absolutely hit the ground running since making his return from a torn ACL and there’s still a big possibility that Acuña could play his way into starting in the outfield for the National League All-Stars during this year’s MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park. We now know that Acuña will be participating in the All-Star festivities whether he’s starting or not.

That’s because Acuña will be taking part in this year’s Home Run Derby. Acuña himself accepted the invitation on ESPN’s SportsCenter tonight.

This’ll be Acuña’s third go-around in the long ball competition, as he took swings during the 2019 Derby and the 2022 Derby as well. He took down Josh Bell during the first round of his 2019 attempt but Pete Alonso turned him away in the second round. Acuña’s second attempt was also thwarted by Pete Alonso and now I’m kind of hoping that Alonso joins the Derby this year again just so that would give Acuña a chance to finally topple New York’s slugger.

Acuña himself has hit .385/.496/.692 in 127 plate appearances over 29 games since his return. He’s also hit for 225 wRC+ and nine home runs since then, with his nine dingers currently tied with Sean Murphy’s nine for fourth overall on the team. Again, the Braves have played 78 games so far this season and he’s already rocketed up Atlanta’s power-hitting leaderboard so far. With Acuña already having plenty of experience in the Derby and being in the zone at the plate at the moment, it really wouldn’t be surprising if the current face of the Atlanta Braves franchise puts on an amazing show for the hometown fans during this year’s Home Run Derby.