Major League Baseball’s 2026 Home Run Derby, held Monday at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, introduced a streamlined, clockless format featuring 20 swings in the first round and 15 in subsequent rounds. Netflix broadcast the event, which showcased eight sluggers and aimed to prioritize rhythm over the high-paced tension of previous years. The 2026 event serves as a significant adjustment, representing the biggest change to the derby since the introduction of the clock-based format in 2015.
Morgan Sword Removes the Clock at Citizens Bank Park
A Shift Toward Simplicity at Citizens Bank Park
The 2026 edition of the Home Run Derby marked a deliberate departure from the clock-based system that had defined the event for over a decade. According to MLB executive vice president of baseball operations Morgan Sword, the primary goal of the change was to return to a back-to-basics approach. “The idea is to slow the pace down a little bit, simplify the rules a little bit,” Sword said regarding the decision to remove the clock and the traditional bonus rounds.
Under the new rules, the competition was structured into three distinct rounds with set swing counts. The first round required 20 swings per hitter, while the subsequent two rounds consisted of 15 swings apiece. The first round featured no head-to-head matchups; instead, the top four hitters advanced based on their total output. Those four participants were then seeded to determine the semifinal brackets, with the first seed facing the fourth, and the second seed facing the third. A unique wrinkle to this format allowed a player to continue hitting if they hit a home run on their final swing of a round, continuing until a swing failed to leave the yard.
Ben Rice and Munetaka Murakami Debut in the New Format
Performance and Contestant Profiles
The field for the 2026 competition included a mix of established stars and rising talent. Among the fan favorites in attendance were Phillies players Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper. Schwarber entered the evening as the major league leader with 32 home runs, while Harper carried 20 into the event. Schwarber was established as the +300 favorite, with Junior Caminero at +350 and Munetaka Murakami at +550.
Ben Rice of the Yankees participated in the event but failed to advance to the semifinals after hitting seven home runs. Rice’s performance saw him struggle to find a rhythm early, as he did not homer until his fifth swing with his father, Dan, pitching to him. Despite a late surge where he launched several balls into the second deck, Rice was unable to clear the fence on his final swing in the bonus round, which would have been necessary to pass Jac Caglianone. Statistically, Rice recorded a longest home run of 443 feet, an average home run distance of 417 feet, and an average exit velocity of 104 mph.
Munetaka Murakami of the White Sox also participated, recording nine home runs. He holds the distinction of being the second Japanese-born player to participate in the Derby, following Shohei Ohtani’s appearance in 2021.
Matt Severance Evaluates Kyle Schwarber Betting Odds
Betting and Expert Analysis
Ahead of the event, the betting markets reflected the high expectations for the hometown participants. Kyle Schwarber’s +300 odds meant a bettor would risk $100 to win $300. Before the competition began, SportsLine expert Matt Severance provided analysis on the field. Severance, a well-connected writer and high-volume handicapper who has worked in the industry since 2005, is recognized for establishing himself as a top expert in multiple sports after joining SportsLine. His insights were sought after by fans looking to make picks for the Monday night festivities.
The event, while rooted in the simplicity of hitting the most “dingers,” remains a major pillar of the All-Star break. As noted in the coverage, the basic concept of the derby is straightforward enough for both kindergarteners and washed-up has-beens. However, the 2026 iteration sought to refine this classic feat of strength for a modern audience, ensuring that the broadcast on Netflix could capture the action as the league continues to navigate its ongoing schedule and playoff race context.
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