8 Sluggers Compete For $1 Million In Home Home Run Derby

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Get ready for the 2026 Home Run Derby.

All Star Week is upon us.

During the Major League All Star break, fans attention turns to their team’s plans for the rest of the season.

Trade buzz will heat up, as the Major League Baseball trade deadline will take place on August 3, 2026. Trade rumors will intensify.

The 2026 All Star Game will be played Tuesday, July 14.

But first, the 2026 edition of the T Mobile All Star Home Run Derby is upon us.

The Derby begins at 8 PM Eastern Time, Monday, July 13.

Netflix will telecast the Derby live from Citizens Bank Park, in Philadelphia.

Eight participants will vie for a first place prize of $1 Million.

The runner-up receives $780,000.

Each participant receives $180,000.

The player hitting the longest home run receives a $25,000 bonus.

According to MLB.com, the field for the Derby includes:

-Home Run Derby Slugger=Munetaka Murakami-20 home runs-Age 26

Murakami recently returned from a strained hamstring.

Murakami is one of the major reasons the White Sox are in contention in the American League Central Division.

MLB.com said, “Murakami will try to be the first rookie to win the Derby since Pete Alonso in 2019.”

This is Murakami’s first All Star Game.

– Home Run Derby Slugger= Kyle Schwarber-Philadelphia Phillies-Age 33

32 Home Runs

Schwarber has prodigious power.

This will be his third Home Run Derby. He has never won.

Schwarber will be competing in his home park.

This will be Schwarber’s third All Star Game.

– Home Run Derby Slugger= Bryce Harper-Philadelphia Phillies- Age 33

Harper has 20 home runs.

Harper won the Derby in 2018, when playing for the Washington Nationals. The Derby was held in his home park in Washington.

This is Harper’s third Derby. His first was in 2013.

This marks Harper’s ninth All Star Game.

-Home Run Derby Slugger= Jordan Walker-St. Louis Cardinals-Age 24

Walker has 22 Home Runs

After a sluggish start to his career, Walker has emerged as a fearsome power hitter for the Cardinals.

He has 74 RBIs already this season.

Walker is making his first appearance in the Home Run Derby, and All Star Game.

Walker could become the first Cardinals player to win the Derby. As mlb.com noted, “Albert Pujols is the Cardinal to have the best Derby performance, finishing as the runner-up in ’03.”

– Home Run Derby Slugger= Willson Contreras-Boston Red Sox- Age 34

Contreras has 20 Home Runs

Contreras was recently suspended for five games for fighting, but he will participate in the Derby, and the All Star Game.

Contreras will be making his first Derby appearance.

Contreras has appeared on four All Star teams.

-Home Run Derby Slugger=Jac Caglianone-Kansas City Royals-Age 23

Caglianone has 15 Home Runs

There is no question Caglianone has tremendous power.

Caglianone was a first round draft pick of the Royals in the 2024 draft.

Caglianone is a long-shot to win the Derby, but as long as he has a bat in his hand, he’s a dangerous power hitter.

This is Caglianone’s first Derby, and his first All Star Game.

-Home Run Derby Slugger=Ben Rice-New York Yankees-Age 27

Rice has 29 Home Runs.

Where would the Yankees be without Ben Rice?

Rice will be playing in his first All Star Game, and will be a first time Home Run Derby participant.

Rice plays first base, and serves as a designated hitter for the Yankees.

-Home Run Derby Slugger=Junior Caminero-Tampa Bay Rays-Age 23 (he turned 23 July 5)

Caminero has 28 Home Runs

This will be Caminero’s second All Star Game.

In 2021, Caminero was traded to the Rays by the Cleveland Indians in what may be one of the most regrettable baseball trades in years.

If he wins the Derby, Caminero will be the youngest player in history to claim the title.

This will mark Caminero’s second appearance in the Derby, as he finished second to Cal Raleigh last year.

Caminero has been on a home run tear. He hit 10 home runs in June, and has smoked five so far in July.

New Home Run Derby Format:

For the first time ever, the Derby will have no timer.

There will be no “outs” recorded.

Each slugger will have 20 swings in the first round

Each slugger will have 15 swings in both the second round, and the finals.

If a player is on his last swing in any round, he may keep on going until he fails to homer.

There is no bonus round and there is no “bracket” for the first round.

Tiebreakers include Home Run distance in Round 1, and three swing swing-offs in Rounds 2 and 3.

Most Likely To Least Likely Home Run Derby Outcomes:

Most odds makers see this order of finish for the Home Run Derby contestants:

This Old Scout’s predictions are in parenthesis:

Kyle Schwarber (1)

Junior Caminero (2)

Bryce Harper (5)

Jac Caglianone (6)

Muretaka Murakami (4)

Jordan Walker (8)

Ben Rice (3)

Willson Contreras (7)

The 2026 Home Run Derby should be exciting and engaging for baseball fans. And without a doubt, anyone can win the $1 Million first prize.

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