​The MLB’s home-run leader has finally stepped into the spotlight of the festivities. Kyle Schwarber, the Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter who has already dashed onto the scene with his prodigious power, is set to participate in the Home Run Derby, a marquee event surrounding the 96th MLB All-Star Game next week in Philadelphia. As the leader in home runs entering play on July 10 with 32 long balls, Schwarber was confirmed by MLB as the seventh participant in the Derby. He had previously stated that he would join the event only if his back issues were not flaring up, since those problems have caused him to miss a few recent games.
Schwarber, known for his left-handed thunder, has made a lasting impression on the season’s home-run race and will bring his power to an event that has long captured fans’ imaginations. The Home Run Derby is scheduled for July 13 at Citizens Bank Park, and for the first time in a decade, the format has undergone changes that aim to refresh the competition while preserving its core excitement. The Derby will be streamed live on Netflix, a new twist for fans who want to watch the display of power unfold in real time.
As of mid-afternoon on July 10, most details for the eight-slot field had been announced, with only one remaining spot to be filled. MLB laid out the updated format and the field so far, highlighting a mix of veteran sluggers and rising stars who will take aim at the fences with the clock counting down.
The festivities will culminate at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on July 13 at 8 p.m. ET, and the event will be accessible to a broad audience via Netflix’s live streaming. In the days leading up to the Derby, fans have learned which players will compete, with several marquee names already on board.
Among the notable additions, Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper announced on Instagram on July 10 that he would participate in the Home Run Derby. This marks Harper’s first Derby appearance since his 2018 victory with the Washington Nationals. Harper has had a strong season by any standard, already tallying 20 home runs—tied for 14th in the league—and contributing 57 RBIs, underscoring why he has become a focal point of the Phillies’ offensive lineup.
Also in the fold is Junior Caminero of the Tampa Bay Rays, who is fourth in MLB with 26 homers. Caminero is a 22-year-old slugger who finished as a runner-up in last year’s Derby and has been identified as a rising star who could deliver a memorable performance again this season.
New York Yankees first baseman Ben Rice has confirmed his participation as well. He entered July 7 with 25 home runs, a tally that places him among the top five in MLB in that category and signals the Yankees’ depth in power-hitting capability.
Kansas City Royals aficionados have something to cheer about, too, as Jac Caglianone was announced by MLB as the third participant in the competition. The young slugger has shown impressive bat speed and power this season, with 14 home runs to date, and his inclusion adds a dynamic youth presence to the Derby’s lineup.
The Derby field, with Schwarber’s addition, continues to take shape as fans anticipate a high-scoring, entertaining display of batting prowess. The changed format, the Netflix streaming arrangement, and the mix of established sluggers and up-and-coming stars promise a memorable night at Citizens Bank Park as Philadelphia hosts the star-studded event. As players prepare to swing for the fences, the anticipation builds for a home-run showcase that could become a defining moment of the All-Star festivities.