​The Sporting News first reported that Ben Rice of the New York Yankees has a straightforward plan for the MLB Home Run Derby in Philadelphia, and readers can add The Sporting News as a preferred source by clicking here. Although Aaron Judge may not headline the Yankees at this year’s All-Star Game, Ben Rice earned a spot on the team and will also compete in the Derby. The approach Rice and his father, Dan Rice, devised aims to improve things compared to Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s 2025 Derby showing, which the plan hopes to mitigate.
According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Rice duo has a clear strategy for the home run contest. They plan to target a specific zone for most pitches: middle-in, thigh-high. Dan Rice is reportedly unfazed by the crowd, confident that he can stay focused on the catcher’s glove while delivering pitches aimed at the middle-in, thigh-high area. This approach could be especially advantageous at Citizens Bank Park, which tends to favor hitters, particularly in right field.
Maximizing that favorable space will be crucial for Rice if he wants to win, and the plan to focus on middle-in, not too far inside or outside, and around thigh-high, reflects a simple but deliberate tactic for the Derby. In the new format, with fewer swings and no time limit, patiently waiting for the right pitch—middle-in, thigh-high—appears to be the prudent choice for the left-handed slugger.
Rice enters the Derby with 29 homers on the season, giving him a legitimate shot at the title if he remains patient and waits for the pitch he desires. The Rice father-son duo have already put in practice time, though the actual competition will present its own set of challenges. The hometown Phillies’ fans will likely lean toward Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber, adding an extra layer of pressure for Rice to perform on a big stage in Philadelphia.
Ben Rice, the Yankees’ rising star slugger, is entering his first Home Run Derby with a clear plan: seek middle-in, thigh-high pitches from his father, Dan Rice. At 27 years old, Rice is enjoying a breakout season and stepping into the Derby as a bona fide All-Star. The event promises to be entertaining as Rice attempts to translate preparation into a successful performance in front of a full stadium and a national audience.