BASEBALL: Jordan Walker stuns home favorite Kyle Schwarber in HR Derby final

PHILADELPHIA — St. Louis Cardinals slugger Jordan Walker captured the 2026 MLB Home Run Derby title after a dramatic late rally, defeating hometown favorite Kyle Schwarber 12-11 in the final on Monday night.

Walker extended the championship round by homering on his final six swings, taking advantage of the Derby's magenta-ball rule that awards bonus swings after a home run on the final attempt. He sealed the victory with a towering shot that landed deep in the left-field seats, silencing the partisan Philadelphia crowd.

"I can't even describe what it means to win it," Walker said. "It was a lot of swings, a lot of pressure, but I think I just had fun no matter what. Every round, I told myself to have a good time."

The 24-year-old delivered a strong performance throughout the competition. He tied Boston Red Sox slugger Willson Contreras with 13 home runs in the opening round before defeating Tampa Bay Rays standout Junior Caminero in the semifinals with seven swings remaining.

Walker entered the final needing another impressive finish and responded by homering on each of his final six swings, earning three extra attempts under the bonus rule before launching the decisive blast.

"I think it's pretty special because they love their players," Walker said of the Philadelphia fans. "That's what you want from your home crowd. I can't hate them because those are their guys."

Walker has enjoyed a breakout season in his first All-Star campaign, entering the All-Star break with 22 home runs and a major league-leading 74 RBIs. He also became the first St. Louis Cardinals player to win the Home Run Derby.

Schwarber, playing in front of his home fans, nearly claimed the title after adding a bonus home run in the final round. However, Walker's late surge denied the Phillies slugger the championship.

"I never think I have it won," Schwarber said. "I knew I was in a good position, but anything can happen. Jordan was unbelievable on those last swings."

Schwarber advanced to the final after edging Contreras 9-8 in the semifinals, while Walker comfortably defeated Caminero.

In the opening round, Walker and Contreras each hit 13 home runs, Caminero finished with 12, and Schwarber advanced with 10. Bryce Harper, another hometown favorite, was eliminated after hitting eight home runs. He was joined by Chicago White Sox rookie Munetaka Murakami (nine), Kansas City Royals slugger Jac Caglianone (eight), and New York Yankees first baseman Ben Rice (seven).

Caminero recorded the longest home run of the night with a 491-foot blast in the semifinals, while Caglianone became the first player since Phillies legend Ryan Howard in 2009 to hit a ball into the third deck in right field at Citizens Bank Park.

The event opened with legendary boxing announcer Michael Buffer introducing the eight participants inside a makeshift boxing ring at second base, with Philadelphia fans loudly cheering their hometown stars and booing the rest of the field. -Ian Nicholas Quillen, Field Level Media/Reuters