ONEIL CRUZ

THE SULTAN OF SWAT

Dominating the Home Run Derby with record-breaking power

2025 HOME RUN DERBY CHAMPION

HISTORIC DERBY PERFORMANCE

Oneil Cruz put on a show at the 2025 MLB Home Run Derby, defeating Ronald Acuña Jr. in the finals with a record-breaking display of power.

DERBY STATISTICS

  • Total Home Runs 78
  • Longest Home Run 512 ft
  • Average Distance 459 ft
  • Exit Velocity (Max) 121.3 mph

CHAMPIONSHIP BRACKET

First Round
Cruz vs Buxton 24-18
Semifinals
Cruz vs Guerrero Jr. 22-20
Finals
Cruz vs Acuña Jr. 32-28

"I've never seen power like this. Cruz isn't just hitting home runs, he's launching missiles into orbit!"

- ESPN Analyst Eduardo Pérez

RECORD-BREAKING POWER

LONGEST HOME RUNS IN MLB HISTORY

1. Oneil Cruz (2025) 512 ft
2. Oneil Cruz (2024) 502 ft
3. Giancarlo Stanton (2016) 495 ft
4. Aaron Judge (2017) 495 ft
5. Oneil Cruz (2023) 489 ft

THE 512 FT BOMB

Cruz's record-setting 512-foot home run came during the 2025 Home Run Derby finals against Ronald Acuña Jr. The ball cleared the left-field bleachers at Dodger Stadium and landed in the parking lot.

  • Exit Velocity: 121.3 mph
  • Launch Angle: 28 degrees
  • Hang Time: 8.4 seconds

PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES

Height
6'7"
Weight
220 lbs
Swing Speed
85 mph (average)
Home to First
4.1 seconds

ELITE POWER COMPARISONS

ONEIL CRUZ

Pittsburgh Pirates
2025 Home Runs 32
Avg. HR Distance 432 ft
Max HR Distance 512 ft
Exit Velocity (Max) 121.3 mph

RONALD ACUÑA JR.

Atlanta Braves
2025 Home Runs 28
Avg. HR Distance 417 ft
Max HR Distance 472 ft
Exit Velocity (Max) 118.7 mph

BYRON BUXTON

Minnesota Twins
2025 Home Runs 22
Avg. HR Distance 409 ft
Max HR Distance 456 ft
Exit Velocity (Max) 116.9 mph

SWING MECHANICS ANALYSIS

Cruz's Swing Advantages

  • Long levers create massive bat speed
  • Efficient weight transfer through swing plane
  • Optimal launch angle (25-30 degrees)
  • Quick hands through the hitting zone

Swing Comparison

  • Cruz: 8.2° bat path, 85 mph swing speed
  • Acuña: 10.1° bat path, 82 mph swing speed
  • Buxton: 12.3° bat path, 80 mph swing speed
  • MLB Avg: 10.5° bat path, 72 mph swing speed

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS & MILESTONES

2018

PROFESSIONAL DEBUT

Signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers as an international free agent at age 16

2022

MLB DEBUT

Made MLB debut with Pittsburgh Pirates, hitting a 453-foot home run in his fourth game

2023

RECORD HOME RUN

Hit 489-foot home run - longest in Pirates history

2024

FIRST 500-FOOT HR

Became only the 3rd player to hit a 500+ ft home run (502 ft vs Rockies)

2025

HOME RUN DERBY CHAMP

Won Home Run Derby with record 512-foot blast

FUTURE OUTLOOK & PREDICTIONS

POTENTIAL MILESTONES

600-Foot Home Run

Analysts believe Cruz has the power to achieve this milestone

MVP Season

Projected to be top contender for NL MVP in 2026

40-40 Club

Could become first 40 HR/40 SB player since Alfonso Soriano

EXPERT PREDICTIONS

"Cruz has the potential to be the most exciting power hitter of this generation. He could challenge Barry Bonds' single-season home run record if he stays healthy."

- MLB Network Analyst

"His combination of power and speed is unprecedented. We've never seen a player with this physical profile in baseball history."

- ESPN Scout