Walker becomes first Cardinals player ever to win Home Run Derby

Jordan Walker defeated Kyle Schwarber 12-11 in the final round to win the 2026 Home Run Derby on Monday in Philadelphia.

After Schwarber hit 11 home runs to send his Phillies home crowd into a frenzy, the most he had hit in a single round all night, Walker went on to hit a home run in each of his last six swings, four with just one swing on the counter left, to take the title in walk-off fashion.

Walker became the first-ever St. Louis Cardinals player to win the Home Run Derby, doing what eight others couldn't, including Mark McGwire twice and Albert Pujols four times.

Both Schwarber and Walker had 19 home runs each heading into the final round before the 24-year-old All-Star took down the current MLB leader in home runs as he finished with 31 total for the night.

His 13 home runs in the first round tied him with Willson Contreras (Boston Red Sox) for the most before he eliminated 2025 runner-up Junior Caminero in the second round 6-5 on just seven swings. 

Walker was named to his first All-Star team last week as he currently leads all of Major League Baseball with 74 RBI paired with 22 home runs, a .294 batting average, and an .887 OPS. 

After just six home runs and 41 RBI last season, the former 21st overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft now adds his first MLB trophy to the case at home.