2026 MLB Home Run Derby: Breaking down the contestants
ESPN • • sports
Key Points:
- Bryce Harper, a former Home Run Derby winner and future Hall of Famer, has asked Dodgers coach Dino Ebel to pitch to him in the upcoming Derby, leveraging Ebel's extensive experience as a successful Derby pitcher.
- Other Derby participants include Kyle Schwarber (Phillies) pitching with assistant hitting coach Rafael Pena, Ben Rice (Yankees) with his father Dan as pitcher, Junior Caminero (Rays) with Tomas Francisco, and Jordan Walker (Cardinals) with bullpen coach Kleininger Teran.
- Willson Contreras (Red Sox) will have bench coach Jose Flores pitching to him, while Munetaka Murakami (White Sox) will be pitched to by bullpen catcher Luis Sierra; both have strong team connections and tailored Derby strategies.
- Jac Caglianone (Royals) has prepared for the Derby with advice from Pete Alonso and will have his father Jeff pitch to him, emphasizing a calm, strategic approach focused on quantity over distance in his home runs.
