Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Oneil Cruz is the latest MLB slugger to announce he's entering Monday's Home Run Derby at Atlanta's Truist Park.
Cruz posted Tuesday on Instagram that he will take part in the event for the first time.
The 26-year-old leads the Pirates with 15 long balls this season. He also has a legitimate shot to join Barry Bonds as the only players in franchise history with a 30-30 campaign.
"I like to hit balls far. I think I'm going to enjoy it a lot," Cruz said of entering the derby, according to MLB.com's Alex Stumpf.
Cruz will be the first Pirate since Josh Bell in 2019 to compete in the Home Run Derby.
The eight-player field now includes Cruz, Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr., Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood, and Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton. New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso, a fixture of the event, declined the invitation this year. There are three more spots available.
