Sports

2026 MLB Home Run Derby: Junior Caminero first confirmed competitor, new rules, how to watch

Published

2 hours ago

1 July 2026

NewsAdmin

The countdown to the 2026 T-Mobile MLB Home Run Derby is on. The annual showcase of the game’s top sluggers will take place on Monday, July 13 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.

The full list of competitors is still being finalized, so check back as more names are confirmed.

RELATED: Watch the first round of the MLB Draft and the 2026 MLB Futures game on NBC and Peacock!

When is the 2026 MLB Home Run Derby?

Place: Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA

Who is in the 2026 MLB Home Run Derby?

Junior Caminero (23 home runs — tied for 5th in MLB)

Caminero is back to avenge last year’s loss to Cal Raleigh in the finals. The 22-year-old became the first confirmed competitor after making an announcement on his Instagram account. After exploding for 45 home runs in 2025, the 22-year-old continues to establish himself as one of the game’s elite power bats. Entering Wednesday’s action, he has homered in five straight games. Caminero is a big reason why the Rays own the best record in the American League.

2026 MLB Home Run Derby Rules

This year’s Home Run Derby comes with some new wrinkles, as MLB has done away with the timer that has been used since 2015. Instead, the competition will go back to a swing-based format.

Here’s what to know:

Note: If a hitter homers on their final swing, they can continue to swing until they don’t homer.

One thing that isn’t changingThere is no bracket for the first round, as all eight hitters will compete within a single pool. The top four home run hitters will advance to the second round and seeding will be based on how many home runs were hit in the first round, with distance serving as the tiebreaker. In the second and third rounds, ties would be decided by three-swing swing-offs.