Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber is already spilling the beans on the 2026 Home Run Derby, and his take on the new rules is gonna make some waves. This guy, a four-time All-Star, appeared on the Pat McAfee Show and straight up said the updated format is "gonna be a different format, 20 swings, which I think is gonna be a little bit easier on the bodies for us."
The Clock is Officially DONE!
That's right, the Home Run Derby you knew for over a decade is out the door! From 2015 to 2025, we watched guys swing for what felt like forever, just trying to beat the clock. Schwarber himself knows the grind, having competed in 2018 and 2022 under those old rules. He hit it right on the head, didn't he? "Swinging for two minutes, three minutes straight is a lot," he said, and you could practically feel the exhaustion coming through the screen. Think about it, all those monster swings, back-to-back-to-back. It definitely led to some insane home run totals, sure, but it also clearly wore these guys out. Now? Chad Jennings of The Athletic reports the clock is gone, totally eliminated. No more bonus rounds either. Players get a solid 20 swings in the first round, then it's 15 swings apiece in each of the next two rounds. It's a completely different animal, designed to save those powerful bodies.Schwarber's Absolute Bomb of a Season
And who better to weigh in than Kyle Schwarber? The dude is an absolute force at the plate this year, leading all of Major League Baseball with a staggering 32 home runs. He's not just hitting bombs though; the man's got nine doubles, 59 walks, and 59 RBI. His slash line is a ridiculous .254/.367/.560. When a slugger like him, someone who's lived through the old Derby exhaustion and is tearing up the league *right now*, says these new rules are "easier on the bodies," you gotta listen. He's not just talking theoretical, he's talking from experience, and he'll be back in the Derby himself in 2026. This isn't just a casual observation; it's a veteran slugger giving us the inside scoop on how this event is about to change. So get ready for a Home Run Derby with a fresh feel. Schwarber is set to participate, and with his current power numbers, you know he's gonna put on a show. Will these new swing counts make for a more focused, less exhausting, but still thrilling competition? We're about to find out, and it's gonna be wild to see how these big bats adapt when the time comes.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.