Morning Rundown: Oneil Cruz hits in Home Run Derby, day two of MLB draft
Oneil Cruz participates in Home Run Derby, day two draft recap
Oneil Cruz put on a show at the 2025 Home Run Derby. He finished in a tie with Junior Caminero with 21 home runs in the first round, but lost in the Semi-Finals to the eventual winner, Cal Raleigh.
One of his home runs traveled a record (for a non-Coors Field derby) with a 513-foot home run.
He also had 15 of the 17 hardest-hit baseballs by exit velocity, including one at 119 mph.
The 2025 MLB Draft wrapped up on Monday, with the Pirates selecting 17 more players. I’ll have a more in-depth look at each pick later today, but here’s a quick rundown of who they took on Monday:
4th - SS Gustavo Melendez
5th - C Adonys Guzman
6th - RHP Jack Anker
7th - 3B Brent Iredale
8th - OF Josh Tate
9th - 1B Jared Jones
10th - SS Matt King
11th - 2B Dylan Palmer
12th - RHP Cameron Keshock
13th - RHP Dylan Mathiesen
14th - RHP Connor Hamilton
15th - RHP McLane Moody
16th - OF Eddie King Jr.
17th - OF Carter Gwost
18th - OF Canon Reeder
19th - RHP/OF Brandon Cain
20th - LHP Nick Frusco
Bucs on Deck: Pittsburgh Pirates Top 30 Midseason Update
We are past the halfway mark of the 2025 minor league season, and it seems like a perfect time for an update on our Top Prospect list, which has been expanded to 30 players.
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Support the site by becoming a paid member, and get access to all of our premium content, including our Top 25 list with complete player write-ups and video breakdowns, which come out weekly.
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FCL Pirates - PPD
DSL Pirates Black - 17 vs DSL Cubs Red - 11
Top Hitter - Edgar Walker: 3-5, 2 R, 3 RBI, BB, 2B, SB
Top Pitcher - Welin Aponte: IP, H, BB, K
DSL Pirates Gold - 3 vs DSL Mariners - 9
Top Hitter - Armstrong Muhoozi: 2-4, 2 R, RBI, HR, SB
Top Pitcher - Eydan Fermin: 2 IP, H, K
Blanco in the lineup again today and no sign of rain! Can it be?!
Let's remember where we aren't supposed to go with stuff in the comments