A Breakout Star Takes the Stage
New York Yankees slugger Ben Rice has officially confirmed his participation in the 2026 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby. The event is scheduled to take place on July 13 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, marking a significant milestone in what has been a breakout 2026 campaign for the young first baseman.
Rice, who announced the news via his official Instagram account, enters the contest as one of the league’s most formidable left-handed hitters. With 25 home runs to his name this season, he is currently tied for fifth in MLB, trailing only Kyle Schwarber, Yordan Álvarez, Hunter Goodman, and Junior Caminero. Beyond his power numbers, Rice has maintained an elite 154 wRC+, placing him in the same statistical tier as superstars like Shohei Ohtani.
The Father-Son Dynamic
In a move that adds a sentimental layer to the high-stakes competition, Rice has selected his father, Dan Rice, to serve as his batting practice pitcher. The elder Rice, a former pitcher at Brown University during the 1980s, has a long history of throwing to his son, dating back to Ben’s childhood. The duo aims to replicate the success of past father-son combinations, such as José and Robinson Canó, who claimed the title in 2011.
This appearance represents Rice’s first foray into the Home Run Derby. He joins Tampa Bay Rays slugger Junior Caminero as the second confirmed participant for the event, which will be broadcast on Netflix starting at 8:00 pm ET on Monday.
Building on Momentum
After a 2025 season that established him as a core part of the Yankees’ lineup, Rice has surged in 2026, overcoming the misfortune that plagued his underlying metrics following his 2024 debut. As he prepares to face the pressure of Citizens Bank Park, the Yankees organization and fans alike look to see if his impressive batting practice power translates to the national stage. The team has a storied history in the event, with Tino Martinez, Jason Giambi, Robinson Canó, and Aaron Judge having previously secured victories for the franchise.