Luis Arraez Stuns Baseball World by Entering 2025 Home Run Derby

In a decision that has left baseball fans, insiders, and even his own teammates scratching their heads, Padres infielder Luis Arraez announced Tuesday that he will participate in the 2025 Home Run Derby at Truist Park in Atlanta. The announcement comes as a complete shock to most, considering Arraez has never been known for his power—and currently sits at just three home runs on the season.

Arraez, a two-time batting champ with a career OPS more reliant on contact than clout, has made his name slapping singles through gaps, not launching baseballs into orbit. “I just want to try something new,” Arraez told reporters. “Everyone says I can’t hit home runs, so I figured... why not?”

MLB insiders were reportedly blindsided by the news. “When I got the press release, I thought it was a typo,” said one American League scout. “Arraez in a Derby? That’s like entering a Prius in a NASCAR race.” Another GM simply responded, “I’m confused. Deeply confused.”

Fans across social media were similarly baffled. One Padres fan tweeted, “I love Luis, but his launch angle is usually, like, six degrees. The only way he’s winning this thing is if they let him bunt 300 times.” Another commented, “He better be using an aluminum bat. Or a trampoline.”

Even MLB’s top sluggers couldn’t hold back their disbelief. “I don’t know if he’s joking or what,” said Yankees slugger Aaron Judge. “I like Luis, but this is the Home Run Derby. Not the 'Hit a Line Drive to Left-Center' Derby.” Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman chimed in, laughing: “I’m rooting for him, but I’m also fully expecting him to go full Ichiro mode and try to hit line drives into the gap.”

Arraez’s Padres teammates offered more diplomatic responses—but you could hear the confusion between the lines. “I mean… I support him,” said Manny Machado, grinning. “Luis is one of the best hitters I’ve ever seen. But I’ve also never seen him swing like he’s trying to hurt a baseball.” Fernando Tatis Jr. added, “He’s got great hands, man. Just not sure those hands are gonna send baseballs to the Chop House.”

Speculation around Arraez’s Derby performance is rampant. Some believe he’s using it as a platform to prove that pure hitters still belong in a launch-angle-obsessed league. Others think it’s a bet gone too far. Either way, expectations are low. “If he hits one out, just one, it’ll be the loudest cheer of the night,” said ESPN’s Jeff Passan. “If he hits two, I expect fireworks.”

The Home Run Derby will be held on July 14th at Truist Park, where Luis Arraez will square off against a field of baseball’s biggest sluggers—including players who have hit more home runs in the past week than Arraez has hit in his last two seasons combined. But none of that seems to phase the 5’10” contact king from Venezuela. “They don’t think I can do it,” Arraez said with a smile. “But they also said I’d never hit .400.”

Whatever the outcome, Arraez has already won in one category: most unexpected Derby contestant in MLB history. Whether he finishes with zero dingers or shocks the world with a breakout power display, one thing’s for sure—everyone will be watching. For better or worse.