Jordan Walker Stuns Philly Crowd to Win Home Run Derby

By William Gilhooly

Sportz Nation - 7/14/2026

Photo Credits to Matt Rourke/Associated Press

As Kyle Schwarber hit his seventh home run in the final round of the Home Run Derby, Phillies teammate Bryce Harper declared the contest "over."

Those words came back to haunt him.

Jordan Walker entered the final round needing five home runs in his final three swings just to tie Schwarber's total of 11. Instead, the St. Louis Cardinals outfielder delivered the improbable, launching six consecutive home runs to finish with 12 and capture the Home Run Derby title Monday night.

In the first year MLB returned to the swing format for the derby, Walker cruised through the opening rounds. He hit 13 home runs in the first round, tying Boston Red Sox slugger Wilson Contreras for the most in the opening round. He then hit six to defeat Rays star Junior Caminero in the semifinals before edging Schwarber in the championship round.

The odds were stacked against Walker from the start.

As he was introduced, the crowd of 46,863 at Citizens Bank Park showered him with boos, hoping Harper or Schwarber would deliver a title to the hometown Phillies.

For Walker, the boos were familiar. Before emerging as an All-Star this season, he spent three years battling inconsistency, demotions and criticism in St. Louis.

Walker debuted with the Cardinals in 2023 at age 20, becoming one of the youngest players in franchise history to reach the majors. Despite a strong start, he was optioned to Triple-A for further development. After returning, he struggled to find consistency.

Over the next three seasons, Walker bounced between Triple-A and the majors, posting a minus-2.6 WAR with a .680 OPS.

This season, however, the talent that made Walker one of baseball's most highly regarded prospects has finally emerged.

Walker has compiled a 3.8 WAR while hitting 22 home runs and leading the National League with 74 RBIs.

"Everyone knows the story up to this point from two years or so ago," Walker's father, Derek Walker, said. "He's like, 'Adversity, I eat for breakfast.'"

The victory carried special meaning for a family that has lived and breathed baseball throughout Walker's life.

"From an early age, he always loved the game," Derek Walker said. "He always loved to play baseball. Loved to sleep with his glove. He always had a bat. We traveled with it all the time."

After the victory, the first-time All-Star was mobbed by family members wearing custom jerseys, a tradition started by Walker's grandmother, Normarene Merritt. Merritt's jersey read "Jordan's Dearee," while his parents wore jerseys embroidered with "Jordan's Dad" and "Jordan's Mom." Each jersey also featured Walker's autograph from his major league debut.

As Walker hoisted the trophy at Citizens Bank Park, many Phillies fans who had spent the night rooting against him stayed to voice their displeasure. Walker, who was casually chewing gum while walking to the plate before his final round, smiled through the boos after completing his comeback.

"I was once told you don't boo nobodies," said Walker. "So it feels pretty good."

By William Gilhooly