2025 MLB Home Run Derby: Breaking down the contestants - ESPN

Byron Buxton pulled aside Minnesota Twins third-base coach Tommy Watkins under the premise that he had some baserunning question, but that wasn't the real reason.

When he got Watkins alone, Buxton told him he had accepted an invitation to the Home Run Derby. The two of them shared tears, having worked together since 2013, the year after Buxton was drafted second overall by the Twins.

«Neither one of us really said anything,» Watkins said in a phone conversation Sunday. «It was an emotional moment for both of us.»

The eight sluggers swinging for the fences in Atlanta on Monday (8 p.m. ET on ESPN) are the stars of the Derby, but for each of them, it will be an experience shared with someone who has thrown round after round of batting practice to them at some point in their lives. A coach, a father, a stepfather, who must also cope with the high adrenaline of the event, under uncommon circumstances — no batting practice shell, packed stands, concert-level sound, and a timer nudging them to work faster.

Most of the Derby contestants have practiced for this event in recent days. All will wield custom-made bats. Some have gotten advice, and some have thought through a strategy on how to handle the pace that will have them bent over with exhaustion, calling for a drink and a towel.

But as we've seen many times before, the Derby hitters can only be as good as those throwing to them today. Here's a quick look at the players competing — as well as the ones pitching to them — on Monday night.

2025 home runs: 17

Olson was the last entrant added to the field (in the past 96 hours). On Thursday, the Braves informed Major League Baseball that Ronald Acuna Jr. would not be able to participate because of a sore back, and shortly