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2026 Philly Home Run Derby: Caminero, Rice; Trout Injured

7/7/2026

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Summary

Caminero, Rice Derby

The 2026 MLB Home Run Derby will be held on July 13 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
Tampa Bay Rays infielder Junior Caminero (22 homers, fifth in MLB) and New York Yankees first baseman Ben Rice (25 homers) were announced as participants on June 30.
The Derby will use a 20-swing first round, stream on Netflix, and miss Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout because of a hamstring strain.

Summary

Rice Derby

Dan Brown will throw to his son Ben Rice in Home Run Derby practice.
Ben Rice, a 12th-round 2021 Yankees draft pick, posted a .267/.360/.565 slash line and a 36.2 % HR-to-fly-ball ratio, seventh in the AL.
Injuries to Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton moved Rice into the Yankees' middle order.
Rice hopes to be the first Home Run Derby champion since Aaron Judge in 2017.

History

Historical Context

The Home Run Derby debuted at Marlins Park on July 10 2017, where rookie Aaron Judge became the first rookie champion, underscoring MLB’s power-hitting surge highlighted by Giancarlo Stanton’s 2016 victory. By 2026 the event, held annually with eight competitors, features younger sluggers, reflecting the league’s continued emphasis on power for fans.

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Caminero, Rice Derby

The 2026 MLB Home Run Derby will be held on July 13 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
Tampa Bay Rays infielder Junior Caminero (22 homers, fifth in MLB) and New York Yankees first baseman Ben Rice (25 homers) were announced as participants on June 30.
The Derby will use a 20-swing first round, stream on Netflix, and miss Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout because of a hamstring strain.

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