​The final group of eight participants for the 2026 MLB Home Run Derby was announced today, completing the lineup for one of baseball’s premier events. The competition will be broadcast live on Monday, July 13, at 8 p.m. EDT on Netflix, with the event taking place at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia as part of MLB All-Star Week. This marks the 41st edition of the Home Run Derby, which first began in 1985.
This year, MLB is introducing a fresh format for the Derby. The traditional timed clock has been removed in favor of a swing-based approach. In the opening round, each participant will be allotted 20 swings. The semifinal and final rounds will consist of 15 swings per batter. If a player hits a home run on the final swing of a round, they will continue to swing until a swing results in a non-home-run. After the first round, the four players with the highest total home runs will advance to the semifinals, with total home run distance serving as the tiebreaker if necessary. Any ties in the semifinals or finals will be settled by a three-swing swing-off.
The lineup features a mix of veterans and newcomers. DH Kyle Schwarber of the Phillies leads Major League Baseball with 32 home runs this season and will be making his third Home Run Derby appearance, after finishing as the runner-up in 2018 and returning in 2022. 1B Ben Rice of the Yankees is set for his Derby debut, having clubbed 28 home runs this season. 3B Junior Caminero of the Rays has tallied 27 homers this season and is making his second Derby appearance, having finished runner-up in 2025. OF Jordan Walker of the Cardinals has 22 home runs this season and will participate in his first Derby. 1B Bryce Harper of the Phillies has reached 20 home runs this season and is entering his third Derby, having placed runner-up in 2013 and later won the event in 2018 against his current Phillies teammate, Kyle Schwarber. 1B Willson Contreras of the Red Sox is also at 20 home runs this season and will be making his first Derby appearance. 1B Munetaka Murakami of the White Sox has hit 20 homers this season and will debut in the Derby. OF Jac Caglianone of the Royals has 15 home runs this season and will make his first Derby appearance.
The eight-player field includes five American League players and three National League players, notably featuring hometown Phillies stars Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper. Seven of the eight participants rank among the top 20 in Major League Baseball in home runs entering the All-Star break.