Overview
- The Home Run Derby will take place Monday, July 13 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia and will begin at 8 p.m. ET with live coverage available only on Netflix.
- MLB replaced the long-used timer with a swing-count system that gives hitters 20 swings in Round 1 and 15 swings in Rounds 2 and 3, and any home run on a final swing lets a batter keep swinging until they fail to homer.
- The format removes the traditional 'outs' mechanic so every swing counts toward a player’s allotment, which changes how batters prepare and how managers and pitchers will be used for warm-ups.
- An eight-player field has been published — Junior Caminero, Ben Rice, Jac Caglianone, Willson Contreras, Jordan Walker, Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber and Munetaka Murakami — though coverage notes Harper previously said his entry would depend on finding a throwing partner he trusts.
- Tiebreakers are set: Round 1 ties will be decided by home-run distance and tied head-to-head rounds in Rounds 2 and 3 will go to three-swing swing-offs; the Netflix-only stream and swing limits could lower overall home-run totals and change how fans watch the event.