Philadelphia hosts Home Run Derby as Jordan Walker claims title

By Noah Lavoie — 14 July 2026 — 3 min read

Walker secures Home Run Derby victory

Jordan Walker of the St. Louis Cardinals emerged victorious in the Home Run Derby in Philadelphia, overcoming Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber in the final round. Walker hit six consecutive home runs on his final six swings to secure the win, becoming the first player from the Cardinals to claim the title. The 24-year-old showcased his power, silencing the home crowd as his winning shot cleared the left field wall.

During the final round, Schwarber hit 11 home runs with 15 swings. Fans, who had been vocal throughout the night in support of Schwarber and Bryce Harper, began to depart as Walker completed his dramatic comeback. Walker, a first-time All-Star, is experiencing a breakout season, having already hit a career-high 22 home runs this year after recording a combined 11 over the previous two seasons.

Walker reflected on the atmosphere, noting the intensity of the Philadelphia crowd. He acknowledged their strong support for their home players, stating that he could not fault them for cheering loudly for Schwarber and Harper. Schwarber, who was a Derby runner-up for a second time, praised Walker‘s performance as impressive.

Event highlights and format changes

The Home Run Derby featured a revamped format this season, with MLB moving away from a timed clock and returning to a swing-based system. Under the new rules, hitters continued to swing as long as they hit a home run on their final attempt. This change allowed for more time between swings, giving players an opportunity to track their hits and providing the crowd with more moments to react.

In the first round, each player had 20 swings, with the top four advancing. The second round saw players seeded, with the No. 1 seed facing No. 4, and No. 2 meeting No. 3. Each player received 15 swings in the second round. Schwarber advanced past Boston‘s Willson Contreras in the second round before facing Walker, who had defeated Tampa Bay‘s Junior Caminero in the same round.

Other participants in the event included New York‘s Ben Rice, Kansas City‘s Jac Caglianone, and Chicago White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami. The event also saw Harper, who had previously stated this would be his last Derby, receive a strong ovation from the crowd. Harper hit eight home runs in the first round but did not advance.

Philadelphia’s Derby history and fan engagement

The Home Run Derby and All-Star Game were held at Citizens Bank Park for the first time since its opening in 2004. This marked the first Derby in Philadelphia since 1996, when Barry Bonds won an afternoon event at Veterans Stadium. The recent event was sold out and was broadcast on Netflix as part of a three-event package for the season.

Phillies fans had hoped to see Schwarber and Harper reach the final, potentially crowning the franchise’s third Derby champion. The pair, who were the first teammates to participate in the Derby since 2018, received enthusiastic ovations during their introductions. Despite the local support, Walker‘s performance ultimately led to his victory.

The crowd’s reactions were a notable aspect of the event, with loud boos directed at non-Phillies players like Contreras and Walker. Even the ball-shagging children in the outfield were booed. The public address announcer occasionally encouraged fans to cheer during quieter moments when non-Phillies players hit home runs. One home run by Caglianone landed in the third deck, and Contreras hit a 490-foot home run, the longest of the first round, which cleared the last row of stands in the left field upper deck.

Source: tsn.ca