New York Yankees slugger Ben Rice is now the second participant alongside Junior Caminero in the 2026 Home Run Derby. Prior to the announcement, Rice crushed a solo shot in the ninth inning that helped lead to a 5-1 victory for the Yankees over the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday, July 6. 

His 25 home runs this season are also tied for third in the AL and fifth in all of MLB, illustrating his dominant power surge for the Yankees this season. In his career, he owns 58 home runs compared to Caminero's career 78. 

It will be the 27-year-old's first time competing in the Derby. He is batting .267 with 57 RBI and a .925 OPS. It's been a childhood dream for Rice to be part of the Derby and now his father, Dan Rice, will pitch to him in the contest on July 13 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. 

The Yankees have won the Derby four times and Rice will attempt to bring them their record fifth Derby win with past winners being Tino Martinez (1997), Jason Giambi (2002), Robinson Cano (2011) and Aaron Judge (2017). Rice will be the eighth different Yankees hitter to compete in the prestigious event. 

Ben Rice to compete in 2026 Home Run Derby

His breakout season has him on pace to record 45 home runs and he is also boasting a 154 wRC+. Rice will need to pick up the slack as he has generated a -1 WAR since Judge has been on the injury list. 

Since 2013, the Yankees have only had two hitters crush 25+ home runs across their first 90 games in a season. They include Judge, who has done so five times, and Rice this season. His barrel rate of 14.7% ranks in the 89th percentile and his impressive xSLG of .500 sits in the 87th percentile. 

While Rice's advanced offensive metrics have been impressive, it will be a tough competition with Caminero, whose historic power surge has been hard to ignore this season. Caminero has 26 home runs this season with a .284 batting average and has powered his way into the AL MVP conversation.