MLB All-Star Week Recap
- emeredith55
- Jul 17
- 4 min read
by Elias Meredith 7/17/2025 FansOnlySportz
The 2025 MLB All-Star Week was loaded with highlights and memorable moments. Let’s recap the busiest part of the season for America’s Pastime.
HBCU Swingman Classic
The All-Star festivities kicked off with the 2025 HBCU Swingman Classic. The best 50 HBCU prospects showcased their talent on a national stage. Black players only made up 6.2% of 2025 Opening Day rosters. This event allows players to showcase their talents in front of MLB scouts. “For me, it’s just an opportunity to give some of these kids an opportunity to be seen,” Hall of Fame outfielder and HBCU Swingman Classic Founder Ken Griffey Jr. said when talking to the media about the event.
The National League defeated the American League, 7-4, in a back-and-forth battle. The National League was down 4-2, going into the bottom half of the seventh. The damage started with Florida A&M rising sophomore, Jay Campbell, drilling a two-run home run to tie the game. The National League would also tack on three more runs in the bottom of the eighth, scoring five unanswered runs to win the game.
Campbell would also win the HBCU Swingman Classic MVP, leading the National League to victory in a great comeback effort.
There were five players selected in the 2025 MLB Draft from this game. That shows there is also pro-level talent in HBCU baseball.
MLB All-Star Futures Game
The 2025 MLB All-Star Futures Game features 50 of the top prospects throughout Minor League Baseball. Saturday afternoon, the National League won 4-2 over the American League, taking their third consecutive Futures Game victory. Dodgers prospect Josue De Paula took home the MVP award after drilling a three-run home run that traveled 416 feet in the 4th inning.
The National League also dominated on the bump, only allowing three hits as a staff. Braves prospect JR Richie and Giants prospect Trent Harris both logged two strikeouts in their one inning of work.
On the American League side, Tigers prospect Max Clark made his presence felt by recording a hit, walk, and stolen base in the game. Mariners switch pitching prospect Jurrangelo Cijinte also played well, recording outs from both sides in his one inning of work.
Once again, the Futures Game gave fans a lot of hope for the future of baseball!
T-Mobile Home Run Derby
The T-Mobile Home Run Derby was electric on Monday. Cal Raleigh added another milestone to his career year by winning the event. On Monday night, Raleigh became the first switch hitter and catcher to win the contest by blasting a total of 54 home runs, including 18 in the final round.
The Derby lineup was loaded with new faces, and they did not disappoint. Pirates center fielder O’Neil Cruz hit the longest home run of the contest (513 feet), and 21-year-old Junior Caminero made it to the finals in his derby debut.
At the end of the night, there were many souvenirs to go around, and Big Dumper received the ultimate reward. Home Run Champion.
MLB All-Star Game
The 95th All Star Game was one for the ages. This year’s Midsummer Classic featured players at all different parts of their careers. Orioles designated hitter Ryan O’Hearn, 31, was an All-Star starter in his first appearance, Javier Báez made his first All-Star Game appearance since 2019 and started in center field, and Pete Crow-Armstrong started in center field for the National League after putting up MVP-level numbers in his second season in the big leagues.
Going into the 9th inning, the National League was up 6-4, with Padres closer Robert Suárez on the bump. The American League scrapped three runs in the ninth to tie it at six. Veteran flamethrower Aroldis Chapman came in for the American League and provided them with a one, two, three inning to keep the game tied going into the first-ever All-Star Game Swing-Off.
In this inaugural event, managers from their respective teams picked three players to represent them in the competition, with each player getting three swings each. Whatever team hit the most home runs would win the All-Star Game.
In a very entertaining match, the National League outlasted the American League, thanks to Phillies star Kyle Schwarber drilling straight three home runs in the Swing-Off. That performance would lead to him being named the 2025 MLB All-Star Game MVP.
This year’s All Star Week was memorable, to say the least. The 2025 MLB All-Star Game had a record viewing with 8.1 million viewers, making it the most watched All-Star Game in all of sports. Baseball is reaching such a wide range of viewers, which can do a lot for a game that slowly but surely is becoming more popular throughout the years.
Thank you for reading!
Elias Meredith (@EAM_55)
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