Alright, listen up, because the Home Run Derby field is shaping up, and one dude is absolutely torching the league right now. We're talking about Kyle Schwarber, the reigning NL home run champ, who just joined the 2026 Home Run Derby field. And get this: the guy is leading the *majors* with an insane 32 homers on the season already! Seriously, 32! That's not just good, that's "stop what you're doing and watch this dude hit" good. He's bringing that power show to Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, and honestly, can you blame him for wanting to show off that kind of pop?
Philly's Power Duo Reunites
Schwarber isn't going solo in Philly, either. He's joining Bryce Harper, giving the home crowd two of their sluggers to go wild for. You know the history here, right? Schwarber made it all the way to the finals of the 2018 Derby, only to fall to, yep, Harper himself. Now they're teammates and getting ready to smash some dingers in front of the Philly faithful. Harper, who actually won that 2018 contest in D.C., is making only his second appearance. Can he go 2-for-2 and bring home another championship? Philly's had two winners before, with Bobby Abreu and Ryan Howard going back-to-back in 2005-06, so the crowd will be buzzing.Who Else Is Swinging For The Fences?
We've got seven sluggers confirmed for the July 13th event, with just one spot left. Jordan Walker, the Cardinals' breakout star, is in for his first Derby. This 24-year-old is having a monster season, hitting .294 with 21 homers and, get this, leading baseball with 70 RBI! That's a huge showing for a young guy. But, like with anything exciting, there are always a couple of "what ifs." We won't be seeing Mike Trout in the Derby, unfortunately. He just returned from a hamstring injury on July 8, and he's likely passing on the event. Too bad, because with the Derby in Philly, it would've been a homecoming for the future Hall of Famer, who's from just 40 miles south in Millville, New Jersey. Also skipping out is Astros star Yordan Alvarez, after battling injuries last year. It's a bummer, but safety first, you know? The Derby is at Citizens Bank Park, which, according to Statcast, is the fifth-best home run park in baseball. Perfect for a dinger fest, right? Plus, they've got this new swing-based format, which means the clock is gone! Hopefully, it won't turn into a "take pitches" derby, but I'm hyped to see who gets that last spot and if this new format lives up to the hype. You know I'll be glued to the screen on Monday, July 13, cheering on some absolute bombs.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.