Category: Baseball

Ohtani. Judge. Trout. The best players in baseball provided some of the season’s longest home runs. 

But they were bested by a breakout power-hitting rookie.

Here are the top 10 longest home runs of the 2025 season in partnership with Data Scientist Kirk Goldsberry:

T-10. Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers) – 469 ft. vs. Brewers – Oct. 17

This is likely the only instance that this homer and this game will ever appear so low on any list. The towering blast came off Brewers reliever Chad Patrick and helped fuel the Dodgers’ NLCS-clinching victory. The Japanese two-way superstar’s second homer on the night came in what’s been dubbed the greatest individual performance in an MLB game ever. This homer now even has its own plaque at Dodger Stadium.

On his way to winning his third AL MVP, the Yankees slugger launched this 469-foot missile back in June against the Royals for his 24th homer of the season. Judge finished with 53 home runs on the season and was part of four players (joining Ohtani, Kyle Schwarber and Cal Raleigh) to reach at least 50 HRs on the season. 

9. Logan O’Hoppe (Angels) — 470 ft. vs. Athletics – May 21

One of the few high points of the season for the catcher, who went on a power surge during the early part of the season before regressing in the stretch run. O’Hoppe crushed this 470-foot homer back in May and had 17 homers at the All-Star Break, but then finished the season with just two more dingers. 

T-7. Denzel Clarke (Athletics) — 471 ft. vs. Giants – July 4

Clarke continually dazzled with his glove throughout the season, and now forms part of a promising young core with the A’s. He only finished with three homers on the season, but he put on his own fireworks show on Independence Day with this 471-foot solo shot in Sacramento. 

T-7. Riley Greene (Tigers) — 471 ft. vs. Athletics — August 26

Not only was this a towering shot for Greene, but it was his first career grand slam. As fellow Tigers slugger Kerry Carpenter noted, “That was one of the best swings I’ve ever seen.” Greene capped off the season as a back-to-back All-Star for a team that wilted in the AL Central race down the stretch. Greene had 36 homers on the season, but led the AL with a whopping 201 strikeouts. 

6. Corbin Carroll (Diamondbacks) — 474 ft. vs. Rockies — August 17

The top home run of August was also the longest of Carroll’s career. Carroll had a solid season even if the Diamondbacks failed to reach the postseason as he finished with a 30-30 campaign in terms of homers and steals.

5. Byron Buxton (Twins) – 479 ft. – vs. Rangers – June 11

A career season for the Twins slugger as he earned his second All-Star nod on the season, participated in the Home Run Derby, and capped it all off with a Silver Slugger award. One month after this homer, Buxton would earn his first career cycle. 

4. Carter Jensen (Royals) — 482 ft. – vs. Athletics – Sept. 28

The promising catcher was a late-season call but made the most of his time with the Royals during his September stint. He saved the best for last with this booming blast in the final game of the regular season. The longest homer for the Royals in the Statcast era, this one was the second of a back-to-back with outfielder Mike Yastrzemski. 

3.  Mike Trout (Angels) — 484 ft. vs. Giants – April 19

The first of two appearances on this list for the three-time AL MVP. In this game back in the early days of the season, the 11-time All-Star had two homers, which included this blast. It was the first of his two multi-HR games of the season, giving him 30 total in his career.

2. Mike Trout (Angels) – 485 ft. vs. Rockies – Sept. 20

Not to be outdone by that aforementioned home run, Trout connected on this one late in the season for his 400th career dinger.  It was the fourth longest of Trout’s career. Trout became the 59th player in MLB history with at least 400 home runs and the third player to reach the mark while in an Angels uniform, joining Dave Winfield and Vladimir Guerrero.

1. Nick Kurtz (Athletics) – 493 ft. vs. Reds – Sept. 14

The season’s longest homer was also a grand slam! If it didn’t seem clear that Kurtz would be on his way to winning AL Rookie of the Year, this may have been the closing argument. According to Statcast, it was also the longest home run hit in MLB in more than two years. Not bad for a power-hitting first baseman known as the “Big Amish” who had hit four homers in a single game earlier in the season. 

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Hall of Famer Randy Johnson’s No. 51 will be retired by the Seattle Mariners during a pregame ceremony next season, the club announced Monday.

Johnson threw the first no-hitter in Mariners’ history on June 2, 1990 — 35 years ago Monday — and in 1995 became their first Cy Young Award winner.

The exact date of the ceremony will be announced after the 2026 major league schedule is finalized.

Johnson, 61, went 130-74 with a 3.42 ERA across 10 seasons with the Mariners.

“I’m happy that my contributions over the 10 years that I was there are being acknowledged now,” Johnson said via Zoom. “It’s been a long time, that’s for sure.”

Johnson enjoyed more success with the Arizona Diamondbacks, with whom he won four consecutive Cy Young Awards in addition to a World Series championship in 2001. However, the lanky left-hander nicknamed the “Big Unit” because of his 6-foot-10 frame fondly remembers his Seattle tenure.

A year Johnson looks back on with particular fondness is the 1995 season. The Mariners’ future in Seattle was cast into doubt when in September of that year, King County voters rejected subsidy taxes to build a new stadium.

Simultaneously, the Mariners enjoyed a prosperous season on the field at the Kingdome, which culminated in reaching the AL Championship Series before falling to the Cleveland Indians. Ultimately, the King County Council approved funding for a new stadium.

“Looking back at it now and that story being documented by the Mariners, it worked out,” Johnson said. “I’m just thankful that I was a big part of that and everybody else was a big part of it, and everything just kind of jelled for all the players.”

That season, Johnson went 18-2 with a 2.48 ERA during a 145-game season and won his first of five Cy Young Awards. But Johnson didn’t hang around Seattle much longer; he was traded to the Houston Astros midway through the 1998 season.

Johnson signed with the Diamondbacks as a free agent ahead of the 1999 campaign, and enjoyed some of the most successful seasons of his major league career across eight years in Arizona. As a result, Johnson was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame wearing a Diamondbacks cap.

“To me, it was a difficult choice,” Johnson said. “But, it was the right choice because statistically, I did more (in Arizona). Now if I could split the plaque and put a little bit of an M and a little bit of an A.”

Even so, Johnson is grateful for his years in Seattle and looking forward to his moment in the sun. It will be a separate occasion from the No. 51 jersey retirement of right fielder Ichiro Suzuki, which is planned for Aug. 9.

In 2001, three years after Johnson left Seattle, Suzuki arrived and wore jersey No. 51. Johnson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015. Suzuki will be inducted on July 27.

Johnson’s No. 51 will be the fifth number retired in Mariners’ history, joining Ken Griffey Jr. (No. 24), Edgar Martinez (No. 11) and Suzuki. All MLB teams have retired Jackie Robinson’s No. 42.

“I know the significance of Ichiro and his accomplishments, and I didn’t want to interfere with his Hall of Fame induction this year or his number retirement this year,” Johnson said. “And so, the one contingent factor I had was if this was going to happen that I didn’t want to take away anything from his deserving day.”

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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When a free agent signs a new deal, there’s always a big question everyone will ask: What’s next?

A player’s new deal will have ramifications for his team (whether it’s a new one) and the overall free agency market. We’re breaking down all angles of the notable MLB deals as the offseason rolls on. And check out who we think are the top 30 free agents of the offseason.

JUMP TO: Grisham | Naylor | Torres 

Trent Grisham, CF, New York Yankees

A return on a one-year, $22 million deal means the Yankees aren’t confident that their prospects are ready to take the next step as everyday contributors at the major-league level. Grisham also gives the team a parachute in case it does not sign a top free-agent outfielder this winter. What’s next for the Yankees and the other top free agent center fielders? READ MORE. 

Josh Naylor, Third Baseman, Seattle Mariners

Mariners general manager Justin Hollander described Naylor as one of the smartest players he has ever had. Naylor’s perfect 19-for-19 mark on stolen bases in Seattle was an example of that. Despite being one of MLB’s slowest players, Naylor enjoyed a 20-30 season despite having never stolen more than 10 bases in a season — a credit to his baseball IQ. What’s next for the Mariners? READ MORE. 

Gleyber Torres, Second Baseman, Detroit Tigers

Coming off hernia surgery, Torres expected to be ready for spring training. It must mean the Tigers feel good enough about the second baseman’s recovery to make him the second-highest paid player for the upcoming season behind All-Star slugger Javier Baez. What’s next for the Tigers, keeping Tarik Skubal, and the other top second basemen? READ MORE. 

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Yankees manager Aaron Boone calls Trent Grisham “The Big Sleep” for his tempered and straight-faced demeanor in clutch moments. During the season, the team even sported T-shirts with Grisham’s new nickname during batting practice.  

It’s not surprising that Trent Grisham accepted the Yankees’ one-year, $22 million qualifying offer to play a third season in pinstripes. But it was at least eyebrow-raising that the outfielder decided not to test a thin market this winter, where he was expected to land a multi-year deal given his prime age and breakout season at the plate.

The 29-year-old outfielder has become a steady presence in the Yankees clubhouse since the Padres traded him to New York, alongside Juan Soto, ahead of the 2024 season. He’s tight with team captain Aaron Judge, with both players maintaining a calm and even-keeled composure throughout the long and grueling baseball season. 

Grisham’s return means that the Yankees aren’t confident that their prospects are ready to take the next step as everyday contributors at the major-league level. Grisham also gives the team a parachute in case it does not sign a top free-agent outfielder this winter. 

Here’s what’s next after Grisham’s new deal:

What’s Next for the Bronx Bombers

For those concerned that Grisham’s salary will prevent the Yankees from spending money elsewhere, that is unlikely to be the case. The Yankees are projected to have a 2026 luxury tax payroll of just over $284 million, which would put them in the top penalty tier for the fourth consecutive season. There’s more work to be done, and they should still be swinging big this offseason. 

After the reunion with Grisham, the Yankees are projected to have the sixth-best center-field production in MLB next year, and they’re not done. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has said that Grisham accepting the one-year qualifying offer doesn’t hamper his ability to go after outfielder Cody Bellinger. 

But the thing is, if Bellinger does return to the Bronx, there’s added uncertainty surrounding the team’s developing outfielders, Jasson Dominguez and Spencer Jones (No. 4 overall top prospect). It’s hard to imagine a world in which Bellinger, Grisham, and Aaron Judge are patrolling the outfield and Dominguez/Jones are still on the 40-man roster. In that scenario, expect a trade to be made.

If Bellinger signs elsewhere, then it’s more likely the Yankees open spring training with Dominguez and Jones competing for the open left-field job. Of course, New York is still keeping tabs on top free-agent outfielder Kyle Tucker, too. If the team makes any outside addition to the outfield, Dominguez or Jones could be on the move. 

What’s Next For Grisham

The lefty-swinging center fielder enjoyed a career year this past season, swatting 34 home runs with the majority of those coming from the leadoff spot, setting the table for Judge & Co. to do the rest of the damage.  Since Grisham bet on himself with the one-year deal, he’s under pressure next year to prove his breakout season at the plate wasn’t just a fluke. 

The Yankees believe Grisham can repeat a 30-homer season, and his left-handed swing is a perfect match against the backdrop of Yankee Stadium’s short porch. More than that, Grisham has excelled offensively after stepping away from Petco Park. This year, he boasted a career-best walk rate of 14.1% to go with a career-best strikeout rate of 23.6%. His exit velocity jumped up a few notches. He recorded the second-best wRC+ (129) in the majors across all qualified center fielders, behind only Twins slugger Byron Buxton. 

As long as Grisham doesn’t drastically regress next year, the Yankees should be happy he’s back, and he’ll be setting himself up for an even bigger payday. Next offseason, Grisham won’t have the qualifying offer restricting his options. And with no draft-pick compensation attached, a contender could realistically push a $100-million contract across the table next winter. 

What’s Next For The Outfield Market

Grisham coming off the board diminishes what was already a weak outfield market, particularly in center field. Though Bellinger is still considered the top free-agent center fielder on the market, this year he played the least amount of games in the middle of the diamond, logging more innings in left and right field, as well as several games at first base. 

After Bellinger, there’s 32-year-old Harrison Bader, 31-year-old Cedric Mullins, and then an enormous drop-off in talent among free-agent center fielders. And even within the top-end of that group, Bader is viewed as a part-time center fielder, and Mullins was worse than league average at the plate this past season. 

So Grisham’s departure from free agency was a huge detriment to teams seeking a center field piece, which includes the Mets, Phillies, Tigers, and Astros. Now, some of these contenders will have to get creative through trades or in-house promotions to fill that need.

Deesha Thosar covers Major League Baseball as a reporter and columnist for FOX Sports. She previously covered the Mets as a beat reporter for the New York Daily News. The daughter of Indian immigrants, Deesha grew up on Long Island and now lives in Queens. Follow her on Twitter at @DeeshaThosar.

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Coming off hernia surgery, Gleyber Torres is expected to be ready for spring training. It must mean the Tigers feel good enough about the second baseman’s recovery to make him the second-highest paid player for the upcoming season behind All-Star slugger Javier Baez.

Coming off a disappointing year with the Yankees in 2024, Torres made a bet on himself when he took a one-year, $15 million deal with the Tigers in 2025 and became an All-Star for the first time in six years. It wasn’t quite the pillow contract the veteran second baseman might have envisioned, but it did lead to a considerable raise in 2026 after Torres accepted Detroit’s one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer this month.

Had he hit down the stretch the way after tallying an .812 OPS at the break, he might have had more long-term offers awaiting him. But a hernia injury impacted his production the rest of the way. He slashed .223/.320/.339 in the second half, and by year’s end, Torres was again just a slightly above league-average hitter. 

But he registered the highest on-base percentage (.358) of his career, and he demonstrated elite plate discipline. Torres had the second-lowest chase rate and 11th-highest walk rate among all qualified MLB players, and his underlying numbers suggested some unluckiness. 

Here’s what’s next after Torres’ new deal:

What’s next for the Tigers?

Detroit was considerably better offensively overall in 2025 than the year prior, but the Tigers’ lineup struggled down the stretch and still ranked outside the top 10 in every major category other than home runs. Which is to say, bringing back Torres is an important move — they needed at least one right-handed bat — but it shouldn’t preclude them from seeking upgrades at other infield spots. The Tigers were reportedly interested in Alex Bregman when he was available last offseason, and now they have a second chance to reel him in. That’s the kind of impact bat they should be seeking if they have dreams of getting beyond the Division Series. 

The team’s third basemen ranked in the bottom 10 in MLB in both fWAR and OPS last year. Their shortstops also hit well below league average as a group. With Torres back, Colt Keith would seemingly be the answer at third base. Top prospect Kevin McGonigle, who has the ability to play multiple infield spots, could also factor into the mix at some point next season. The Tigers could choose to see what their young infielders can do and instead focus on adding pitching. 

The big question this winter: Could they actually trade Tarik Skubal? This is the last year under team control for the back-to-back American League Cy Young Award winner. It would be shocking to see them move him — they could already use more starting pitching, as is — but if they don’t think they can keep him long term, it will be a point of discussion throughout the winter. They could at least listen to offers. 

What’s next for Torres?

If Torres can hit the way he did in the first half last year over the course of a full season, perhaps the long-term deal he’s been waiting for will come. He can’t be given the qualifying offer again, so there might be a more robust free-agent market for him in the future if his 2026 season goes well. 

As previously noted, his quality of contact and underlying numbers were notably better this year in Detroit. He increased his hard-hit and barrel rates while lowering his strikeout rate, and his expected slugging percentage was 66 points higher than what he actually slugged. 

He’s still in his 20s, too, so if he can return healthy from his hernia injury, there are reasons to believe his second season in Detroit could be better than his first. Torres doesn’t offer much with his glove or his speed, so it’s vital that he produces with his bat. 

What’s next at the top of the second base market?  

Torres and Jorge Polanco were largely considered the top second basemen on the market (unless Bo Bichette is willing to shift off shortstop with the Blue Jays or his next team), so teams looking for a bat-first player at the position might now shift their attention to Polanco. The Mariners have interest in bringing him back again after he bounced back from an injury-plagued 2024 season in Seattle to register the highest slugging percentage (.495) and wRC+ (132) among all qualified second basemen in the American League in 2025 (though it’s worth noting he spent most of his time at DH). 

For teams looking to increase their contact skills at second base, perhaps Luis Arraez will be an option after he spent most of his time at first in San Diego. Given his singular hitting profile, he’s a fascinating free agent to watch this winter. Teams seeking a more affordable utility option could look to Willi Castro. 

Rowan Kavner is an MLB writer for FOX Sports. He previously covered the L.A. Dodgers, LA Clippers and Dallas Cowboys. An LSU grad, Rowan was born in California, grew up in Texas, then moved back to the West Coast in 2014. Follow him on Twitter at @RowanKavner.

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