We’ve officially entered the 2025 All-Star week, and all eyes are now on one of the most electrifying nights in baseball—the MLB Home Run Derby. It’s more than just an exhibition; it’s a celebration of raw power. It’s about the awe-inspiring distance and the rhythm of home runs echoing through packed stadiums. However, beneath the fireworks and fanfare lies a reality often overlooked: The risk.

Repeated high-effort swings, starting with 40 within minutes, can take a physical toll. Chances are always high that mechanics break down, and injuries can creep in. Launching baseballs into orbit isn’t exactly easy on the body. Still, these elite athletes put themselves through it for a contest that doesn’t count in the standings! The reason?

That’s where the money game enters.

The Home Run Derby isn’t just about pride or applause anymore, but about serious prize money. In recent years, MLB has sweetened the pot, making this slugfest one of the most lucrative. And that, perhaps more than anything, explains why baseball’s biggest bats keep stepping into the box for this midsummer showdown. Well, maybe!

The latest update on the prize money for the 2025 Home Run Derby brings forth a lucrative deal for the participating players.

“The 2025 Home Run Derby offers a total prize pool of $2.5 million,” according to reports by Bleacher Nation.

MLB increased the winner’s prize to $1 million starting in 2019 to encourage more high-profile players to participate. Before that, prize money was significantly lower or largely symbolic (e.g., trophies, cars, charity donations). But wait, there’s more…

The winner will not take it all from the game. Others will also have their share!

The total prize pool for the MLB Home Run Derby is a massive $2.5 million, but it’s not a winner-takes-all situation. As per the reports, the champion will walk away with a cool $1 million. But everyone who steps into the box gets a nice payday. For instance, just showing up to compete earns each slugger $150,000. The runner-up takes home $500,000, and there’s even a $100,000 bonus up for grabs for whoever smacks the longest home run of the night.

Yep, plenty of incentive to swing for the fences.

With the prize now out there, here’s a quick flashback from the 2025 Home Run Derby – the selections, to be precise…

Hits and misses of the 2025 Home Run Derby 

As the 2025 Home Run Derby electrifies fans with towering shots and raw slugging power, one notable figure is missing from the spectacle. Teoscar Hernandez, the reigning champion from 2024. Reportedly, the Dodgers outfielder, who wowed audiences last year with a total of 49 home runs and clinched the title in a thrilling 14–13 final against Bobby Witt Jr., is absent from this year’s lineup.

Sources close to Hernandez have confirmed that his decision to skip the Home Run Derby is a precautionary measure to avoid aggravating a recurring groin injury. Something that has nagged the slugger throughout the season. So, while fans were hoping to see him defend his crown under the bright lights, the risk was simply too much for the 31-year-old power hitter.

But he is not the only one who gave the event a miss. We got Vladimir Guerrero Jr., another fan-favorite and former Derby winner, who also chose to sit this one out, citing a need to manage his workload ahead of a tight playoff push.

The absence of these marquee names has created a noticeable shift in the dynamics of this year’s contest, opening the door for emerging stars to seize the spotlight. And well, the 2025 Derby has delivered its share of fireworks, with a new generation of hitters showcasing their talents. P.S. Junior Caminero made that statement clear, bomb after bomb! Even though he lost the event, he did put on a show for all of us to remember…