2026 Home Run Derby: Yankees’ Ben Rice Finishes Last

Yankees’ Ben Rice Finishes Last in 2026 Derby

The Yankees had little to celebrate in the 2026 Home Run Derby as Ben Rice posted just seven homers, the fewest of the opening round. He opened with two blows in his first seven swings, found a brief spark with back‑to‑back shots, yet could only manage five more after five swings remained, adding one more before a final popup, and closed with seven total. Though he finished last for the second straight year, Rice’s haul was closer to the pack than Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s dismal showing the previous season, and he appreciated playing alongside his father on the mound.

Contreras and Walker Set Early Benchmarks

Boston’s Willson Contreras set the tone for the night, compiling 13 homers and a 490‑foot blast that became the highest totals to chase. St. Louis’ Jordan Walker matched that output with 13 homers and a 470‑foot maximum, keeping pace with Contreras. Their benchmarks pushed other competitors like Kansas City’s Jac Caglianone (8 HRs) and Chicago’s Munetaka Murakami (9 HRs) to rally but ultimately fall short.

New Talent Emerges: Caminero, Schwarber, and Harper

Tampa Bay’s Junior Caminero burst out of the gate with several homers in his first five swings, finishing third overall with 12 homers. Philadelphia’s Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper each struggled early before climbing; Schwarber clinched the final advancement spot with a 10th homer on his last swing, edging out Murakami who had held the tiebreaking distance advantage. Harper finished just behind with nine homers, missing the cutoff by a narrow margin.

What This Means for the Yankees and Future Contenders

Ben Rice’s seven homers keep the Yankees sidelined deep into the Derby for another season, offering fans little reason to celebrate beyond rivalry bragging rights. The revamped rule set seems to reward clusters of power, as demonstrated by Contreras, Walker, and Caminero’s ability to stack hits early. Looking ahead, the club will monitor Rice’s progression, hoping a stronger second half can lift the team’s derby prospects in future years.