Tim Benz: Debate over Oneil Cruz's Home Run Derby invitation is unnecessary

Oneil Cruz has been named to the roster for the Major League Baseball All-Star Home Run Derby on Monday night. That seems to have stirred a debate on sports talk radio and in social media circles as to whether Cruz “deserves” to be in the competition.

Personally, I’m not sure “deserve” has anything to do with it. I suppose if you are looking strictly at the numbers, no. Cruz’s home run total doesn’t measure up. He has 16 of them. There are 33 MLB players who have more.

Cruz doesn’t deserve to be in the derby. He's tied for 39th in the league in home runs. Been very disappointing. https://t.co/9sDCpWWnMs

— Adam Crowley (@_adamcrowley) July 8, 2025

I agree! He is in because nobody else wanted to! The bum is hitting .203

— Jim Naseum (@Golfdude66) July 9, 2025

He barely deserves to be on a mlb roster

— TiredDad (@sierrahiker8) July 8, 2025

He's in purely because he's the stat cast king

— Josh Mavilla (@Mavilla15) July 8, 2025

He belongs in the "Looking at a Called Third Strike Derby"

— Slappy McGee71 (@gmaster12141969) July 9, 2025

But many of the top MLB stars have turned down the competition. Elly De La Cruz, Pete Alonso and Kyle Schwarber have declined invitations. Shohei Ohtani has said he is unlikely to participate. So the pool is thinner to begin with than you might think.

Not to mention, hometown participant Ronald Acuña Jr. of the Atlanta Braves is in with just nine homers over 40 games.

This is a TV show more than it is a true test to determine baseball’s best home run hitter. The stats at the end of the year will do that on their own. Cruz’s home runs are good television — as anyone who was watching his 458-foot blast that sailed into the waterfalls in Kansas City on Tuesday night at 115 mph will attest.

Oneil Cruz shows why he's headed to the Home Run Derby! ????

a MOON SHOT in KC! ???? pic.twitter.com/oCl1YRNAur

— SportsNet Pittsburgh (@SNPittsburgh) July 9, 2025

No one can hit a ball harder or deeper into the stands than Cruz. That’s what people want to watch in the Home Run Derby.

Sure, other sluggers in MLB have hit more homers than him. But whose hacks Monday night are going to be more compelling and keep more eyes watching? Cruz’s? Or Hunter Goodman’s?

Related

• Tim Benz: Theories why the Steelers and T.J. Watt are so 'far apart' in contract talks
• First Call: Dak Prescott heaping praise on George Pickens; WR or safety debated as Steelers' weakest position
• Pair of seemingly sensible pitching decisions backfire for Pirates, Don Kelly in loss to Royals

Agreed, Cruz would have many more home runs if he didn’t strike out so much. However, if he becomes the first player in Derby history to swing and miss as many times as he homers in a round, that’s funny TV too.

In 1982, Dave Kingman hit .204, totaled a league-leading 156 strikeouts, yet also led the National League in homers for the Mets with 37. If the home run contest was around back then (it was inaugurated three years later), I would’ve loved to see him in it. Same thing with Cruz.

Furthermore, I know there are Pirates fans who are worried that this will screw up Cruz’s swing and his approach at the plate. But, c’mon. Who are we kidding? Those things are screwed up already. He’s hitting .203, and all he does is swing for the fences anyway. What difference will Monday night make?

Let’s not worry about “deserve” with Cruz until we start debating his next contract or what he “deserves” in proper trade return somewhere down the line.

You know, like we do with every Pirate.