​The 96th MLB All-Star Game is slated for next week in Philadelphia, with the Home Run Derby serving as the main event alongside the game itself. This year’s derby will stand out not only because it takes place in Philadelphia during the United States’ 250th anniversary year, but also because it will be held at Citizens Bank Park, one of the premier ballparks for long balls. Here is the latest format and the participants MLB has announced so far.
The T-Mobile Home Run Derby will take place on July 13 at Citizens Bank Park. For the first time, the derby will be streamed live on Netflix. The event details are as follows: Date: Monday, July 13; Time: 8 p.m. ET; Venue: Citizens Bank Park; Location: Philadelphia; Stream: Netflix. As of July 8, three players had publicly committed to competing in the derby. Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero, who ranks fourth in the majors with 26 homers, announced last week that he would participate for a second time, having finished as the runner-up last year. Caminero is 22 years old and has been a standout slugger this season, continuing to show power at the plate. New York Yankees first baseman Ben Rice also confirmed his participation. Rice enters the derby with 25 home runs as of July 7, tied for the fifth-most in MLB. He continues to be a solid power source for New York. On July 8, MLB announced Kansas City Royals first baseman/outfielder Jac Caglianone as the third participant. Caglianone has been known for his explosive bat speeds and power, and he had 14 homers on the season entering mid-June.
In total, eight players will participate in the Home Run Derby. At present, no participants have publicly committed to competing at their home stadium, and some players have expressed conditional interest. For instance, Bryce Harper has indicated he would consider taking part if he could secure a reliable teammate to throw to him, which he would require to maximize his performance. Harper is a two-time MVP who last competed in 2018, winning the derby as a Washington National. The runner-up in that edition was Kyle Schwarber, who was then a member of the Chicago Cubs. Schwarber recently stated that he would consider participating again only if his back issues permit, as he has missed several recent games due to back trouble. The current MLB home run leader has 30 homers this season, while Harper sits with 20, which places him 11th in the league in home runs.
The derby continues to generate anticipation as the Phillies host the All-Star festivities, with the backdrop of a stadium renowned for its home-run-friendly atmosphere and a season that has thrown up some outstanding hitting performances. The event promises to showcase a mix of established stars and emerging power hitters, all vying to hit sponsor-worthy, jaw-dropping drives in front of a national audience on Netflix.
As the next few days unfold, more official participant announcements are expected, along with any adjustments to the format or broadcast plan, as MLB and NBC/Netflix finalize their presentation for fans tuning in to witness the annual showcase of power and precision at Citizens Bank Park.