Red Sox’s Contreras Lights Up 2026 Home Run Derby

Willson Contreras Returns to Derby

Willson Contreras is back in the derby after a long absence for the Red Sox. He becomes the first Boston slugger to compete since David Ortiz and Adrian Gonzalez teamed up in 2011. Contreras enters the contest having hit 20 home runs for the Sox this season.

He will square off against a mix of homegrown stars and proven talents, including Junior Caminero, Bryce Harper, Ben Rice and Kyle Schwarber. The field also features Jordan Walker, Jac Caglianone, Munetaka Murakami and a handful of other regulars. Contreras’s presence adds a slice of Red Sox history to the 2026 event.

New Swing‑Based Format and Round 1 Overview

For the first time since the COVID‑19 pause, the Home Run Derby has dropped the clock and returned to a pure swing count. Each competitor now gets 20 swings in the opening round, followed by 15 swings in each of the later stages. The top four home‑run winners from round one advance to the semifinals, where they face off in head‑to‑head matchups.

Contreras and Jordan Walker led the first round tied at 13 home runs each. Junior Caminero posted 12, while Munetaka Murakami finished with nine. Jac Caglianone added eight, Ben Rice seven, and the rest posted fewer or none as the field sorted itself.

Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper did not register a home run in the opening round, leaving them to contend in later stages. The crowd’s reaction was split, with boos greeting Contreras as he took the plate, while Harper and Schwarber drew the loudest cheers. The new format also means the contest could stretch beyond the usual timer, giving each slugger a chance to build a longer drive total.

Opening ceremonies and lineup

Willson Contreras opened the derby on Netflix, while Bryce Harper was slated to close the round. Rachael Colman of the U.S. Navy sang the national anthem, and boxing legend Michael Buffer added a surge of hype before the first swing. The official order was revealed at 6 p.m. ET, giving fans a clear view of who would take the podium first.

Derby Participants 2026

• Willson Contreras – Red Sox
• Munetaka Murakami – White Sox
• Junior Caminero – Rays
• Bryce Harper – Phillies
• Ben Rice – Yankees
• Kyle Schwarber – Phillies
• Jordan Walker – Cardinals
• Jac Caglianone – Royals

Live Action Highlights

The night kicked off at 8 p.m. ET with Michael Buffer’s signature hype call, and the first batter was Willson Contreras representing Boston. Contreras ignited the crowd early, landing a second‑deck shot over 440 feet and later a 490‑foot blast, finishing the round with 13 home runs.

Junior Caminero entered at 9:12 p.m. ET, having already captured 12 homers by 9:18 p.m. His outburst included a 487‑foot hit followed by a 479‑foot shot and a 478‑foot drive, showcasing a late‑inning surge that left him with a total of twelve round winners.

Rice struggled early, posting only four home runs with seven swings remaining before finishing the night with seven total hits.

Ben Rice took the stage at 9:02 p.m. ET, battling to add seven homers after a slow start that left him four behind with seven swings left.

The Philadelphia crowd’s reaction highlighted a divide, cheering only for Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber while boos echoed for Contreras as he stepped up. Murakami, back from the injured list, posted big right‑field shots, climbing past Caglianone to claim nine home runs before his run ended.

Caglianone’s night began at 8:44 p.m. ET with a modest start, but he turned things around, launching a 477‑foot blast over the batter’s eye and securing eight homers for the round. Walker, who entered at 8:37 p.m. ET, found his timing after an early patience phase, smashing lasers to left field and matching Contreras’s total of 13 home runs. By 8:32 p.m. ET, Contreras had 13 homers with one swing left, but his final shot fell short of the stands.

How to Watch the 2026 Derby

All action streams exclusively on Netflix, so viewers need a paid subscription to tune in. The service offers three pricing tiers for U.S. customers: a $8.99‑per‑month ad‑supported plan, a $19.99‑per‑month ad‑free standard package, and a $26.99‑per‑month premium tier that adds Ultra HD playback. Pick the plan that fits your viewing habits and device capabilities.

Venue and Date

The Home Run Derby is slated for Monday, July 13, at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. First pitch is set for 8 p.m. Eastern Time, giving prime‑time viewers a full late‑summer showcase. The historic ballpark will host the sluggers after a rain‑out‑decimated 2020 edition.

Derby Winners Through the Years

• 2025 – Cal Raleigh (Mariners)
• 2024 – Teoscar Hernandez (Dodgers)
• 2023 – Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays)
• 2022 – Juan Soto (Nationals)
• 2021 – Pete Alonso (Mets)
• 2020 – Canceled
• 2019 – Pete Alonso (Mets)
• 2018 – Bryce Harper (Nationals)
• 2017 – Aaron Judge (Yankees)
• 2016 – Giancarlo Stanton (Marlins)
• 2015 – Todd Frazier (Reds)
• 2014 – Yoenis Cespedes (Athletics)
• 2013 – Yoenis Cespedes (Athletics)
• 2012 – Prince Fielder (Tigers)
• 2011 – Robinson Cano (Yankees)
• 2010 – David Ortiz (Red Sox)
• 2009 – Prince Fielder (Brewers)
• 2008 – Justin Morneau (Twins)
• 2007 – Vladimir Guerrero (Angels)
• 2006 – Ryan Howard (Phillies)
• 2005 – Bobby Abreu (Phillies)
• 2004 – Miguel Tejada (Orioles)
• 2003 – Garret Anderson (Angels)
• 2002 – Jason Giambi (Yankees)
• 2001 – Luis Gonzalez (Diamondbacks)
• 2000 – Sammy Sosa (Cubs)
• 1999 – Ken Griffey Jr. (Mariners)
• 1998 – Ken Griffey Jr. (Mariners)
• 1997 – Tino Martinez (Yankees)
• 1996 – Barry Bonds (Giants)
• 1995 – Frank Thomas (White Sox)
• 1994 – Ken Griffey Jr. (Mariners)
• 1993 – Juan Gonzalez (Rangers)
• 1992 – Mark McGwire (Athletics)
• 1991 – Cal Ripken Jr. (Orioles)
• 1990 – Ryne Sandberg (Cubs)
• 1989 – Ruben Sierra* (Rangers)
• 1989 – Eric Davis* (Reds)
• 1988 – Canceled
• 1987 – Andre Dawson (Cubs)
• 1986 – Wally Joyner* (Angels)
• 1986 – Darryl Strawberry* (Mets)
• 1985 – Dave Parker (Reds)

Readers can look forward to more Red Sox coverage and updates as the 2026 season unfolds. Stay tuned for deeper analysis of how Contreras’s return might influence Boston’s postseason chances. The derby promises to be a showcase of power and poise on the national stage.