St.Louis Cardinals budding star Jordan Walker broke the hearts of the Philadelphia Phillies faithful on Monday night, defeating Kyle Schwarber on a walk-off blast to win the 2026 Home Run Derby.Walker hit 12 home runs in his final round, edging out Schwarber’s 11 in a new format from MLB.
With his parents watching, Walker’s final home run hit the left field seats and he celebrated in the only way you do when you win the Home Run Derby to be crowned the league’s best slugger during All-Star weekend.Once again, MLB introduced a new format to the Home Run Derby, this time giving all eight contestants 20 swings to hit as many home runs as possible.The one caveat: if your final swing results in a home run, you continue swinging until it doesn’t leave the yard.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMJordan Walker of the St.
Louis Cardinals poses for a photo during the 2026 All-Star player photoshoot at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on Monday, July 13, 2026.(Rob Tringali/MLB Photos)In this format, players didn’t have to battle a clock or focus on how far they hit balls to enter a bonus round.
They could lock in and take their time if need be.Boston Red Sox star Willson Contreras, who has been paramount in the team’s turnaround this season prior to hitting the All-Star break, set the tone with 13 homers in his 20 swings.But Walker matched him, as they both were the bar to reach to make it to the semifinals.FORMER HOME RUN DERBY PARTICIPANT DISCUSSES WHY MLB ALL-STAR FESTIVITIES ARE THE BEST IN SPORTSKansas City Royals’ Jac Caglianone hit the third deck in right field, but his eight homers weren’t enough to propel him to the next round.
And Chicago White Sox new fan favorite Munetaka Murakami hit nine to at least give himself a chance.But Tampa Bay Rays’ Junior Caminero belted 12 home runs following New York Yankees’ Ben Rice seven-homer showing.With three hitters in double digits, the hometown favorites, Schwarber and Bryce Harper, kn...