Ben Rice’s Derby Dream Comes True With Dad Pitching

Rice’s Rise to the Spotlight

Ben Rice, 27, is a first‑time All‑Star who has become a staple of the Yankees’ lineup while Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton are sidelined. The left‑handed slugger arrived in the majors as a rookie in July 2024, launching three home runs against the Red Sox—an historic first for any Yankee newcomer. A solid 2025 season vaulted him into the American League’s elite, and he now boasts 25 homers that rank fifth in the majors and third in the AL.

Rice was selected by New York in the 12th round of the 2021 draft, the 363rd overall pick out of Dartmouth. He never let his lack of a celebrated college pedigree hold him back, quickly establishing himself as one of the league’s most reliable power threats. Going into Tuesday’s contest, he was batting .267, underscoring his role as the Yankees’ offensive cornerstone.

Dad’s Role in the Derby

Sunday’s spotlight will feature a father‑son pitching partnership when Dan Rice lines up on the mound at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. The elder Rice, a 1980s pitcher from Brown, has been tossing to his son since Ben could swing a bat, and the Monday derby will move that routine from their backyard to a national stage. Ben calls the experience a lifelong dream that both he and his father have cherished for years.

Dan’s curveball is no longer the dominate weapon it once was, so the family has agreed to keep the pitches flat and straight during the competition. Even without the break, Dan has accumulated a massive pitch count from countless offseason sessions, and Monday will only add to that total. The younger Rice says the added pressure of performing in front of a crowd actually eases his dad, because he must swing at every offering.

Derby Format Changes

MLB revamped the Home Run Derby this year, scrapping the exhausting timed rounds in favor of a more manageable structure: 20 swings in round one, 15 in round two, and 15 in the final. The new limits are designed to give each hitter a fuller opportunity without the frantic clock ticking down. Rice has praised the adjustment, noting it also lightens the load on the bullpen pitcher.

The refreshed format mirrors earlier summer league tiebreakers where Rice often settled contests with home‑run swing‑offs. He recalls winning three such bouts in 2020, a 경험 that adds a quirky footnote to his preparation. Despite the novel rules, Ben says he plans to keep things simple and focus on enjoyment rather than strategy.

What Lies Ahead for Ben Rice

If history repeats, the Yankees could finally taste derby glory, ending a drought that dates back to Aaron Judge’s victory in Miami in 2017. Recent winners include Tino Martinez, Jason Giambi, Robinson Cano, and last year’s champion Cal Raleigh, who also brought his father into the picture. Rice’s presence in the field joins Jazz Chisholm Jr. as the only other 2025 competitor slated to appear in Philadelphia.

Success at the derby would cap an extraordinary breakout season for a player who never projected as a top prospect. With his dad’s support and the new format favoring power over speed, Rice is poised to make a statement on the national stage. Fans will watch not only for home runs but also for the rare father‑son storyline that has already captured the baseball world’s imagination.