Jordan Walker showed off his flair for the dramatic to take the 2026 MLB Home Run Derby crown away from the hometown favorite.
Walker and Schwarber faced off in the finals of Monday’s All-Star competition at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pa. The Philadelphia Phillies slugger, playing off the support of the crowd, connected on 11 home runs off his 15 swings in the final round, putting immense pressure on Walker to hold serve.
The St. Louis Cardinals slugger was at only six home runs with three swings to go. His only chance was to make use of the rule that a contestant could go beyond his 15-swing limit if he homers on his final swing. He’d be allowed to keep going as long as the balls kept leaving the yard.
Walker abused that rule just like he did the baseballs, hitting out six straight home runs to walk off Schwarber in front of his home fans.
Down 3 homers in the @TMobile #HRDerby Finals
— MLB (@MLB) July 14, 2026
Down to his final swing
Jordan Walker was UNFAZED 🥶 pic.twitter.com/hWdbNgxOar
Walker became the first Cardinals player ever to win the Home Run Derby. He also earned himself quite the payday, with his salary this season slotted at just under $800,000. As the Home Run Derby king, Walker won $1 million in prize money.
The 4-year pro is in the midst of a breakout season for St. Louis. Walker leads the majors in RBIs with 74 and is tied with Shohei Ohtani and Kazuma Okamoto for 10th in home runs with 22 entering the All-Star break.
