Ben Rice Eliminated Early in 2026 Home Run Derby

Rice’s Tough Derby Debut

The Yankees slugger stepped up as the fifth hitter in Monday night’s contest at Citizen Bank Park and struggled to find his power swing. He went without a home run on his first four attempts, then connected for a 386‑foot blast to right field. Another swing produced a second round‑tripper, but the damage was already done. By the time his final at‑bat arrived, Rice had tallied just seven home runs, the fewest of any participant in the opening round.

First‑Round Eliminated Players

Several prominent names also failed to advance, each posting modest totals. Jac Caglianone collected eight homers, while Bryce Harper matched that output. Munetaka Murakami added nine round‑trippers before his exit. The eliminated field includes the Yankees’ rising star, who now must shift focus back to the regular season.

What This Means for Rice

Being the first‑round out‑card does not reflect his usual season production, but it highlights the difficulty of translating regular‑season power into a high‑pressure showcase. The Derby often serves as a platform for players to display raw strength, and early elimination can be a humbling experience. Rice will likely use the experience to refine his approach when the contest returns next year. His overall slugging average remains a key asset for the Yankees as they chase August’s playoff picture.