Home Run Derby X is headed back to Durham!
Reigning Durham HRDX champion Manny Ramirez returns to defend his crown, while Andruw Jones is back with revenge on his mind after falling short last year at Athletic Park. Joining those two power bats to lead their respective teams on Aug. 9 are former Nationals and Cubs stars Ryan Zimmerman and Jake Arrieta along with women's baseball and softball stars like Alex Hugo and Ali Newman.
This event will also showcase North Carolina’s top collegiate baseball talent squaring off against each other, with star players from NC State, Duke, North Carolina, and East Carolina competing against each other.
The competition, which features explosive swings and miraculous catches, is a battle between four teams. In season four of HRDX, there is more on the line at each event than ever before, as the winning team will advance to the finals in Salt Lake City on Sept. 19 and 20, where $200,000 will be on the line.
The rules of this fast-paced Home Run Derby are unique. Click here for more information on rules, but here is a quick rundown:
- Each of the four teams will feature three players.
- Each batter gets two minutes and 30 seconds to take as many swings as possible.
- They get one point for every home run -- with an extra point being awarded for a ball that flies through the outfield target.
- During each at-bat, hitters can call for a "hot streak." They'll get double points for every ball they hit during the hot streak.
Here are the rosters for the four teams participating in Durham this season, each in search of a spot in Salt Lake.
Braves
Andruw Jones
Hitting home runs will be nothing new to Jones, as he blasted 434 of them during his Major League career, including two in his first two at bats of the 1996 World Series. Jones, who was 19 at the time, is still the youngest player to homer in the Fall Classic. Not only is the Braves legend known for his power, but he also won 10 Gold Glove Awards, which will help him steal some points on defense in Durham. Jones has one HRDX under his belt; however, he is still seeking his first HRDX title.
Alex Hugo
The two-time USA Baseball Sportswomen of the Year has become an HRDX staple since competing in her first event in 2022. Hugo, who is known by many on the tour as the most competitive player, has already won a HRDX title when she crushed 27 home runs in Ft. Wayne last season. The softball standout at the University of Georgia has also become known for flipping her hat backwards before stepping into the box for her round. Hugo is one of the best hitters on tour, as she batted .714 with a HR, nine RBIs and 13 runs scored in the 2023 Women’s Baseball World Cup group stage, and it will be a treat for fans to once again see her compete in HRDX this season.
Gavin Gallaher
The North Carolina Tar Heel baseball superstar has already been known for hitting clutch homers in his short career, as he launched a walk-off grand slam in the 2024 Chapel Hill Regional with his team down a run. The right-handed slugger also tied a record for most homers by a Tar Heel in a single game when he hit three homers against Pittsburgh less than a month ago. Gallaher, who is currently in his sophomore season, was named to the Freshman All-American second team by Perfect Game. The 20 year-old third baseman will be ready to put on a show in Durham.
Nationals
Ryan Zimmerman
A two-time All Star and Silver Slugger Award winner, as well as Gold Glove Award winner and World Series champion, Ryan Zimmerman played 16 seasons in the Majors -- all with the Washington Nationals. Zimmerman, who was born in North Carolina, had his No. 11 retired by the Nationals after smoking 284 big league homers. The hard-hitting righty also hit the Nationals’ first World Series homer en route to a 2019 World Series championship. Zimmerman is back to HRDX after playing in Albuquerque last year.
Ali Newland
Known in Baton Rouge for her stellar catches in left field, Ali Newland slashed .298/.384/.499 in a Tigers uniform. Newland was selected to the All-SEC First Team twice in her career, while also being named to the SEC All-Defensive team in 2024. Newland will be making her first appearance in HRDX at Athletic Park.
"I love a home run derby," Newland said. "I love it. I know that I'm a little small, and I didn't hit all the home runs in my college career, but I am a three-time LSU softball Home Run Derby champ, so I have some experience here."
Chris McHugh
Not only is Manny Ramirez back, but so is his 2024 HRDX teammate Chris McHugh, who stole the show in Durham last year with 59 points across two rounds en route to the championship trophy. However, this time McHugh will be competing against Ramirez.
After a solid freshman campaign at VCU, McHugh transferred to NC State in 2024. McHugh has been a staple in the NC State Wolfpack lineup this season, slashing .372/.466/.552.
Red Sox
Manny Ramirez
The owner of one of the sweetest right-handed swings in baseball history will be stepping back into the box to try to defend his title in Durham. Ramirez had a stellar career with 12 All-Star selections, nine Silver Slugger Awards, two World Series championships and a batting title. Ramirez also helped break the “Curse of the Bambino” with the Red Sox, as he won the 2004 World Series MVP Award. The Dominican Republic native was known for his clutch October hitting, as he leads the Major Leagues in career Postseason home runs with 29. X-Ramirez loves baseball and is excited to launch more dingers into the stands in Durham.
Jessica Oakland
After winning 2024 Big Ten Player of the Year honors, Oakland transferred to Duke before the 2025 season. In two seasons with the University of Minnesota, the shortstop was selected as an All-Big Ten First Team. In 2024, Oakland set a Golden Gopher single-season record with 70 runs and 20 homers. Oakland is sitting out the 2025 season with the Blue Devils but will be back in 2026 with two years of eligibility remaining.
Macon Winslow
In Durham, classmates will team up to try to win a HRDX title, as Macon Winslow, the standout catcher from Duke, will be joining Oakland. Winslow was named to the Buster Posey Midseason Watch List in 2025 and has been a big factor in the Blue Devils’ lineup, starting more than 40 games in each of his first two seasons at Duke.
Cubs
Jake Arrieta
Yes, pitchers can rake, too. Though Arrieta is best known for dominating on the mound, winning a Cy Young Award and helping the Cubs win the 2016 World Series, the 6-foot-4 right-hander also showed off his pop in the Major Leagues. Arrieta won a Silver Slugger Award in 2016 with an OPS of .720, which was higher than six MLB teams that season! With seven home runs in his career, including a three-run HR off Madison Bumgarner in the 2016 NLDS, Arrieta looks to once again prove that some pitchers aren't too shabby with a bat in their hand.
Erika Piancastelli
In the first HRDX event ever, Erika Piancastelli won MVP. She looks to bring the power she brought that day in London to Durham. Piancastelli shattered the record books at McNeese State, where she was a two-time All-American, posting a .401/.568/.868 batting line in her career. Piancastelli holds records for most career home runs (75) and RBIs (212). She was so good at the plate that many pitchers would rather walk her than face her, as she set a Southland Conference record with 229 free passes. Piancastelli, whose jersey No. 16 is retired at McNeese, will once again try to claim a championship in Durham.
Colby Wallace
East Carolina’s Colby Wallace is a two-way player for the Pirates. In his freshman season, the right-hander hit .395 in American Athletic Conference play. After his stellar 2024 season, Wallace went on to dominate the Valley League in the summer with a league-best .370 average. Wallace has also been an integral part of East Carolina’s success this season, as he has started every game for the Pirates thus far.