Byron Buxton Answers Home Run Derby Question

As long as he remains healthy, Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton will more than likely be in his home state of Georgia from July 14-16, playing for the American League in the 2025 MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves.

That’s what happens when you’re arguably the best defensive outfielder on the planet, and offensively, you’re batting .278 with a 907 OPS and 147 OPS+, the latter two of which rank No. 1 among all MLB center fielders.

In 65 games played this season, Byron Buxton has already batted in 49 runs and scored 51 more. He’s collected 69 total hits, including 3 triples, 10 doubles and 18 home runs, the last of which he hit Friday night in Detroit.

Byron Buxton mashes his 18th homer of the year! pic.twitter.com/euzOlk9ApI

— MLB (@MLB) June 28, 2025

Entering Saturday’s game in Detroit, Buxton — who’s played all but 11 games on the season — has already accumulated 3.2 bWAR, 15th highest in Major League Baseball and second among AL center fielders, behind only Julio Rodriguez (3.8 bWAR).

Speaking of home runs, not only is Buck hoping to be named an All-Star for the second time in his MLB career, he’d be open to accepting even more responsibilities during the 3-day Mid-Summer Classic break, than just playing in the All-Star Game main event, itself.

Byron Buxton wants in on 2025 MLB Home Run Derby?

Byron Buxton told Bobby Nightengale (Star Tribune) on Friday that he would indeed be interested in being a Home Run Derby participant, too, especially when this year’s star-studded contest will take place just outside of Buxton’s hometown of Baxley, GA, which would make his HR Derby debut even more special.

“I’d be interested [in the Home Run Derby], for sure. I’d think about it…The fact that it’s in Georgia, to do something like that with family and people who have known me a long time being there for it, it would be hard to turn that down.”

Byron Buxton (quote via the Star Tribune)

So, now that we know Byron Buxton would likely accept his invitation to the 2025 MLB Home Run Derby, if one is extended, the obvious question remains — will he be asked? Well, that answer is far less black and white.

The 30-year-old Georgia native’s 18 homers currently rank in a four-way tie for 13th most in Major League Baseball. Mariners’ slugger Cal Raleigh leads the MLB with 32 home runs. He has already committed to the 2025 HR Derby, as has Atlanta’s Ronald Acuna Jr.

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If Byron wants to increase his chances of competing in the Home Run Derby on June 14, it’s in his best interest to finish off the MLB first half with POWER. If Buxton can climb into the top 10 among HR hitters before final selections are made, it would be difficult for Major League Baseball to keep him out of his hometown derby.

We already know a few sluggers around and above Byron in the 2025 home run race who have opted out of participating in next month’s HR Derby. The list of opt-outs includes Aaron Judge, Elly De La Cruz and 2024 champion, Teoscar Hernandez. Two players, Ronald Acuna Jr and Cal Raleigh have already officially committed.

Will the Minnesota Twins superstar make AL All-Star roster?

As far as whether Buck will make the AL All-Star roster for the second time in his MLB career… that is far from guaranteed too. We already know he will not start. Possible outfield starters were whittled down to four on Friday, and Byron did not make the cut.

Phase 2 of MLB All-Star voting will begin on Monday. During phase 1, Byron Buxton finished 8th in AL outfield voting, with 920,986 votes, about 100,000 votes short of Steven Kwan (1.2M), who was the fifth and final outfielder to make the phase 1 cutoff.