MLB Fans Displeased as $5.85M Yankees Star Grabs Final 2025 Home Run Derby Spot

In a league where moonshots matter and star power sells, the Bronx Bombers just cashed in on both. The New York Yankees, never ones to shy away from spotlight selections, have once again stirred the pot—and the fanbase. While the All-Star stage demands fireworks, not everyone’s thrilled with the latest spark. Because when a $5.85 million swing grabs headlines, the reaction isn’t always a standing ovation.

The Home Run Derby is one of the best events of the baseball calendar, and it is almost here. It has got names like Ronald Acuña Jr., Cal Raleigh, and Oneil Cruz. But the last name to enter the Derby has got the fans thinking if the quality has been lowered.

It was announced by MLB insider Jeff Passan through his X handle that The final participant in the 2025 Home Run Derby: New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr.” With the Home Run Derby based purely on home runs, the fans are thinking if Jazz Chisholm Jr. was the best choice for the competition. He isn’t just bringing the swagger to the All-Star red carpet this year. He’s also bringing 17 home runs, a resurgent bat, and serious Bronx flair to Atlanta’s Truist Park. After missing time due to injury, Chisholm has returned with thunder—10 homers in just 31 games.

 

The final participant in the 2025 Home Run Derby: New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 10, 2025

His first season in pinstripes has been electric, blending flash, speed, and power into must-watch TV. The 27-year-old Yankee called his All-Star selection “amazing,” especially after battling through midseason adversity. “It got harder once I got hurt, but I came back and got hot,” he said. His 10 home runs since June 3 lead all Yankees in that stretch, highlighting his resurgence. As he put it, “I think I worked hard for it and earned it,” and the numbers agree.

Compared to other Derby sluggers, Chisholm Jr.’s 17 bombs trail behind Acuña Jr.’s 21 and Rooker’s 19. But unlike some others, Jazz has done it in only 61 games—power-packed in less time. With that pace and that flair, Chisholm might just steal the show on July 14.

Still, not all slugfests start with unanimous applause—and not every Derby invite comes without debate. But if baseball is part performance, part production, the Yankees may have sent the perfect showman. Love him or doubt him, Chisholm Jr. brings the kind of chaos the Home Run Derby secretly craves.

MLB selects Yankees star Jazz Chisholm Jr., but fans are not happy

The Yankees already know how to divide a room—this time, they’ve done it in cleats and charisma. While the Bronx may love a good show like Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s dancing his way into the 2025 Home Run Derby, baseball Twitter isn’t handing out roses. Turns out, 17 home runs and a big smile aren’t enough to quiet the pitchforks.

 

Eugenio Suarez has 29 homers btw

— Justin Martinez Enthusiast (@JMartEnthusiast) July 10, 2025

“Eugenio Suarez has 29 homers btw”—a comment sharper than a fastball inside. While Chisholm Jr. brings 17 homers and Bronx flair, Eugenio Suarez’s bat screams Derby-worthy. With 12 more long balls, Suarez’s omission feels louder than a Truist Park upper-decker. Sometimes, style makes the cut, while sheer power watches from home.

“He’s probably gonna strike out in that too”—a jab that swings harder than some Derby hacks. Chisholm Jr. owns a 27.3% strikeout rate, and yes, it raises eyebrows. But the Home Run Derby doesn’t count whiffs—it counts moonshots, which Jazz delivers in bunches. Critics may doubt the contact, but his barrel finds fireworks more often than not.

“We literally all wanted Yelich. MLB is completely dropping the ball again,”—and fans aren’t bunting words. Christian Yelich has 22 homers to Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s 17 this season. While Jazz brings flash, Yelich brings power, pedigree, and a crowd-pleasing lefty swing. MLB chose swagger over sentiment, but not everyone’s clapping from the bleachers.

“Nooooo Jazz give that sore shoulder a break!”—a plea echoing louder than Yankee Stadium boos. Chisholm Jr. just returned from the IL after battling a shoulder injury earlier this season. His 10 homers in 31 games show he’s back—but is he fully ready? Fans fear the Derby could spark fireworks and flare-ups if caution gets benched again.

“Modern homerun derby’s are so different from the ones I grew up on.” Nostalgia swings hard. Back then, it was slug or sit—pure power, not flashy flair in cleats. Today’s Derby favors charisma, highlights, and marketability over raw, thunderous home run totals. The ball still flies, but the vibe’s changed—and not every fan’s on board.

From “Eugenio got robbed” to “protect that shoulder,” the backlash hasn’t exactly been subtle. But maybe that’s what the modern Derby thrives on—debate, drama, and a dash of defiance. Chisholm Jr. may not lead the league in homers, but he sure leads in headlines. In today’s MLB, spectacle often beats stat sheets—and love it or not, the show will go on. Just don’t expect unanimous applause when the spotlight hits.

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