MLB Home Run Derby 2026 Live Updates, Results, Highlights and Fan Reaction

This is the second major MLB event Netflix has carried this year, and some would say there was a need for redemption after Opening Night. They went big for Yankees vs. Giants back in March, but a lot of it didn't land.

There's been a bit less self-promotion this time around, which is for the best. But there's a lot of talk on social media about the wonky camera work, audio mix and editing, which are occasionally making the action hard to follow.

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A respectable showing for Munetaka Murakami in his first Home Run Derby, highlighted by a 466-foot shot. But with four hitters still left to go in Round 1, it might not be enough. One wonders if he's still rusty after playing in just three games after coming off the IL on July 10.

Ben Rice is up next.

Philly fans are infamous for having booed Santa Claus once upon a time, and they've been living up to that reputation all evening. Everyone is getting booed, including a kid who missed a catch on a Jordan Walker fly ball.

Hey, when you have a bit, you might as well lean into it.

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"Cags" hit a couple over 470 feet, and he had four straight homers on four straight swings at one point. His longest was a 477-foot tank that reached the third deck at CBP, which might as well be the moon.

Munetaka Murakami is up next.

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Jordan Walker tied Willson Contreras' output, but Contreras has the tiebreaker because of his long home run of 470 feet. Even so, another impressive display. Walker topped 440 feet on six of his 13 long balls.

Jac Caglianone is up next.

That 490-foot blast by Willson Contreras? It was caught by a police officer up on the concourse. Didn't look like he expected to get one all the way up there.

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That was quite the display for Willson Contreras to lead off Round 1. He homered 13 times in 20 swings, and he had six that went at least 470 feet. The longest was a 490-foot blast.

Jordan Walker is up next.

Every non-Phillies player heard boos from the Citizens Bank Park crowd during introductions, but the loudest were reserved for Willson Contreras.

He handled it well, playing along by cupping his hand to ear and egging on the fans. He did it again when he stepped into the box for his round. Good sense of humor, if nothing else.

They saved Bryce Harper's introduction for last, and it was about as capital-B Big as anyone could have expected. He went full hype man, and the crowd loved it.

This is the second time Harper has participated in a Home Run Derby in front of a home audience, as he also did so (and won!) at Nationals Park back in 2018. But believe it not, he's now been a Phillie for longer than he was a National.

Just glad he didn't hurt himself on that plate-shaped ring. It looked a bit wobbly.

It wouldn't be a Netflix broadcast if it wasn't a star-studded affair, but this is next-level. Legendary ring announcer Michael Buffer, a Philadelphia native, is introducing the derby contestants.

With what looks like hand-written notes, no less. And even at 81, he still sounds like a million bucks.

Here's an interesting observation from Eno Sarris of The Athletic on how the new swing-based format won't reward endurance as much as the timed format.

Based on bat speed and power, Junior Caminero and Jordan Walker could be the favorites. Bryce Harper and Ben Rice could have a harder time.

As per usual, every contestant in the Home Run Derby got to choose his own pitcher for the event. Here's who has the honors:

The only real surprise is that Harper's father, Ron, isn't returning after throwing to his son in the 2018 Home Run Derby. Ron apparently hasn't thrown in a while, so Bryce called in a connection from the World Baseball Classic. Ebel coached under Mark DeRosa for Team USA.

Kind of, anyway. The Cardinals slugger is rocking a custom Iron Man-themed bat as a nod to his favorite Marvel hero.

Just remember, Jordan: If you're nothing without the bat, then you shouldn't swing it.

Fans sitting beyond the outfield walls at Citizens Bank Park won't have any excuses to not catch anything that comes their way tonight. Geico made up some oversized gloves for them to use.

That'll help. Just remember to communicate out there. And watch out for Zack Hample.