​Rewritten: My 2026 Home Run Derby bracket, including the full lineup of contestants, odds, and winner predictions, originally appeared on The Sporting News. You can add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. For 2026, the Home Run Derby has a new home and will air exclusively on Netflix for the first time, accompanied by a refreshed format after MLB tweaked the rules once more. Regardless of platform, venue, or format, one thing remains constant: the promise of big, exciting home runs. This year’s field features two Philadelphia local favorites, last year’s runner-up, a standout rookie, and more, as eight power hitters compete for a $1 million prize. Here’s a comprehensive look at the 2026 Home Run Derby bracket, including odds, predictions, and more.
Participants
– Munetaka Murakami, White Sox
– Kyle Schwarber, Phillies
– Junior Caminero, Rays
– Bryce Harper, Phillies
– Jordan Walker, Cardinals
– Willson Contreras, Red Sox
– Jac Caglianone, Royals
– Ben Rice, Yankees
Seeding overview
– No. 1 seed vs. No. 4 seed
– Seeded players: 1 (Round 1 leader) and 4 (Round 1 fourth-place finisher)
– No. 2 seed vs. No. 3 seed
– Seeded players: 2 (Round 1 second-place finisher) and 3 (Round 1 third-place finisher)
– Matchups: Player 1 vs. 4 winner and 2 vs. 3 winner
Format details and rules
MLB has again revised the Home Run Derby format for 2026, removing the timed rounds. Instead, hitters are allotted a set number of swings per round: 20 in Round 1, 15 in Round 2, and 15 in the finals. There is no longer a bonus round, but players who hit a home run with their final swing may continue swinging until they fail to hit another home run. For the third consecutive year, Round 1 does not use a bracket; the top four home run hitters advance to a bracket determined by their Round 1 home run totals. The two semifinal winners then face off in the finals. In case of ties in Round 1, distance serves as the tiebreaker; in the semifinals and finals, a three-swing swing-off resolves any ties.
Rationale for the new format
The goal of the revised format is to reduce fatigue and give fans more time to savor the spectacle of long drives. Under the previous format, players were incentivized to swing at almost every pitch, which could wear them down quickly. The new structure aims to balance pace with the ability to showcase power and to allow more time for fans to enjoy the home runs as they happen.
Homefield and local favorites
The derby field includes two hometown favorites from Philadelphia: Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber, both of whom were key contributors for the Phillies. Harper is a former Home Run Derby champion, having won at Nationals Park in 2018, while Schwarber has appeared in multiple Derby events, finishing as the runner-up in 2018 behind Harper. Beyond the Philly duo, the field also features other notable sluggers who bring a mix of experience and youth to the stage as they chase the coveted prize.
Note on sources and credibility
For readers seeking the most current information and expert analysis, The Sporting News remains a preferred source for the latest updates, odds, and predictions related to the Home Run Derby. You can add The Sporting News as a preferred source by following the link provided.