HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 19: Jordan Walker #18 of the St. Louis Cardinals breaks his bat on a hit during the fifth inning of the game against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on April 19, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker made history Monday night by winning the 2026 Home Run Derby. Walker became the first player in franchise history to win the event, defeating Kyle Schwarber 12-11 in the finals.
Walker ended the first round with 13 home runs before facing Tampa Bay Rays phenom Junior Caminero in the second round. He would then advance to the finals after edging Caminero 6-5, setting up the matchup against Schwarber. The Phillies All-Star started the finals on a positive note after hitting 11 home runs, his highest total on the night. Schwarber’s effort wasn’t enough, as Walker homered on his final six swings, including four do-or-die swings in the bonus round, to win the Home Run Derby.
“I can’t even describe what it means to win it,” Walker said. “It was a lot of swings, a lot of pressure, but I think I just had fun no matter what. Like, every round, I was having a good time.”
After a respectable rookie season in 2023, Walker struggled to build on that success, hitting just 11 home runs over the next two seasons. Walker worked with the Cardinals’ hitting team to simplify his swing. As a result, he hit eight home runs in his first 16 games, earning him an invite after heading into the break with 22.
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Walker’s win also made him the fifth-youngest champion in Home Run Derby history, passing Vladimir Guerrero Jr. He also became just the second Cardinals player to reach the final round. Before Walker’s victory, Albert Pujols came closest to delivering St. Louis its first Home Run Derby title in 2003, but Garret Anderson defeated the young first baseman 9-8 in the final. Matt Holliday also appeared in the Derby twice but was eliminated in the first round both times.
Walker will play in Tuesday night’s All-Star Game as a reserve outfielder. The Cardinals enter the break with a 50-45 record, sitting 8.5 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central and one game behind the Miami Marlins for the final National League Wild Card spot.
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