Okay, so the 2026 Home Run Derby is hitting Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia this Monday at 8 p.m. ET, and the betting odds are already flying. Everyone's looking at the big names like Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper who play in that stadium, but come on, does anyone remember who *actually* won this thing last year? Our very own Cal Raleigh brought that crown home, and he did it in style.
Philly's Homegrown Power Show
Look, you can't ignore the local guys. Philadelphia's Kyle Schwarber is the favorite, sitting at +310 in the latest odds. This dude is leading baseball with 32 home runs already, heading into the All-Star break. He mashed a career-high 56 dingers last season and has been averaging nearly 47 bombs over the past four years. Schwarber's got raw power, no doubt, and he even reached the Derby final back in 2018. Then there's Bryce Harper, another Phillies slugger, who's got +700 odds. He beat Schwarber by one homer in that 2018 final, and he's back in it for the first time since that victory. Harper's got 20 long balls at the break, and with the Philly crowd behind him, he's definitely an intriguing choice.Remembering Cal Raleigh's Dominance
But let's talk about the real story, right? Tampa Bay's Junior Caminero, who's at +425 and tied for fourth in baseball with 28 homers, is in this Derby too. He hit 45 home runs last season in his first full MLB year. Why does that matter for us? Because Caminero reached the final *last year* and fell to *our guy*, Cal Raleigh! Our Big Dumper didn't just win it, he put on a show. Cal Raleigh finished the season as the home run champ with a mind-blowing 60 long balls. Sixty! Let that sink in. Caminero going deep in two of his last four games before the break is nice, but it doesn't compare to the fireworks Cal lit up last year. The Emerald City still remembers that epic performance. So while the spotlight is on these new favorites battling it out in Philly, let's not forget the recent history. The Home Run Derby on Monday will definitely be a power fest. Will Schwarber's league-leading 32 homers carry him to the title? Or will Harper capture the magic of the home crowd again? No matter what, our guy Cal Raleigh set a sky-high bar last year with 60 homers and that epic win over Caminero. The league knows who the reigning champ is in spirit, and that's our catcher. We'll be watching to see who can even come close to that level of pure power.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.