The 2026 Home Run Derby is set to make its debut on a streaming platform, with the event scheduled for July 13 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia and airing live on Netflix.
A Star‑Studded Field
Joining Florida alum Jac Caglianone will be Tampa Bay’s third‑base prospect Junior Caminero and New York Yankees first‑baseman Ben Rice, among eight total sluggers selected for the competition.
A New Format
The derby will feature a novel structure: each player receives 20 swings in the opening round, then 15 in both the semifinals and finals. If a home run is hit on the final swing, the batter may continue until a miss, and ties are settled first by the longest homer and, in later rounds, by a three‑swing swing‑off.
Caglianone, who recently announced his participation on social media, arrives after a breakout season in which he hit 14 homers for the Kansas City Royals and posted a .258 average. He also carries Florida’s all‑time home run record of 75 and set the Gators’ single‑season mark with 35 in 2024.
If Caglianone were to win, he would become the youngest champion since 1993, a milestone that would underscore the growing impact of college stars transitioning to the majors.
Looking Ahead
The event promises to blend tradition with innovation, testing players with a swing‑off tiebreaker and giving fans a fresh way to experience baseball’s power showcase. As the sport’s next generation prepares to swing for history, all eyes will be on the Philadelphia skyline on a summer night.