Full Breakdown
2026 MLB Home Run Derby Set for Philadelphia with New Swing-Based Format
7/10/2026, 3:23:31 PM
Event Overview
The 2026 MLB All-Star Home Run Derby will be held on Monday, July 13 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, a venue ranked the fifth-best home-run park by Statcast. The contest returns to a swing-based structure: each hitter receives 20 swings in the first round and 15 swings in each subsequent round. Any home run on a final swing allows the batter to continue until a miss, while ties are broken by longest-distance shots in round 1 and by three-swing swing-offs thereafter.
Confirmed Participants
| Player | Team | Position | Games | HR | BA / OBP / SLG | Notable Metrics |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Caminero | Tampa Bay Rays | 3B | 85 | 22 | .292/.384/.548 | Fastest bat speed (80.0 mph) |
| Ben Rice | New York Yankees | 1B/DH | 85 | 25 | .267/.360/.565 | Exit velocity 91.8 mph, barrel rate 14.7 % |
| Jac Caglianone | Kansas City Royals | RF | 85 | 14 | .258/.322/.455 | Avg. exit velocity 93.7 mph, avg. HR distance 418 ft |
| Willson Contreras | Boston Red Sox | 1B | 87 | 20 | .287/.381/.545 | Max exit velocity 114.4 mph, .513 xSLG |
| Jordan Walker | St. Louis Cardinals | RF | 85 | 21 | .294/.355/.534 | Bat speed in 100th percentile |
| (Four spots remain open) | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Caminero, the 22-year-old who finished second in the 2025 Derby, leads the league in home runs among players 23 or younger. Contreras will be the Red Sox’s first Derby representative since 2011, while Caglianone becomes the sixth Royal ever to compete, following Bo Jackson (1989) and Bobby Witt Jr. (2024 runner-up).
New Swing-Based Rules
MLB eliminated the timed “clock” used since 2015. The revised format emphasizes swing efficiency: every swing—whether a home run or a miss—counts toward a player’s total. The first-round tiebreaker is longest-distance homer; later rounds use three-swing swing-offs. The change coincides with Netflix taking over broadcast duties from ESPN.
Statistical Snapshot
- Home runs to date: Caminero 22, Rice 25, Caglianone 14, Contreras 20, Walker 21.
- Exit velocity leaders: Caminero (80.0 mph bat speed), Rice (91.8 mph), Contreras (114.4 mph max).
- Average HR distance: Caglianone and Royals teammate tied for league-best at 418 ft.
- Slugging percentages: Caglianone .455, Rice .565, Contreras .545, Walker .534.
Official Statements & Responses
- Jac Caglianone said the invitation arrived “a couple of days ago” and he “think[s] I’m going to do it this year.” He added that his father, Jeff, will pitch for him and “has ice in his veins.”
- Willson Contreras told MassLive reporters that MLB “asked me if I wanted to and I said ‘Yeah.’” He noted the Derby offers a chance to become the first Red Sox champion since David Ortiz in 2010.
- MLB announced the new swing limits, stating that “each hitter will have 20 swings in the first round, which features a tiebreak of home run distance, and 15 swings in each of the final two rounds.”
Criticism & Concerns
Some observers worry the removal of the clock could lead to a “Take-Pitches Derby,” where batters swing indiscriminately rather than focusing on power. No formal objections have been lodged by players or the league.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I was approached a couple of days ago and got asked to do the Home Run Derby and I think I’m going to do it this year,” — Jac Caglianone
- “He’s got ice in his veins,” — Jac Caglianone (referring to his father, Jeff)
- “They asked me if I wanted to and I said 'Yeah,” — Willson Contreras
- “Players get 20 swings in the first round, which features a tiebreak of home run distance, and 15 swings in each of the final two rounds, during which any ties are broken by a three-try swing-off.” — MLB
What’s Next
The Derby opens at 7 p.m. ET on July 13 and will be streamed live on Netflix. The eight-player field will be finalized by the start of the All-Star Game on July 14.
