The 2026 T-Mobile Home Run Derby is set to be a thrilling spectacle, with eight baseball's premier sluggers competing for the title. But who's pitching to these sluggers? From family members to coaches, each participant has chosen their pitcher, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the event. Let's take a closer look at the eight Home Run Derby pitchers and the unique relationships they share with their sluggers.
The Coaches and Family Members
The Derby is a two-way street, and each contestant has the opportunity to choose their pitcher, whether it be a coach, a family member, or a friend. This adds an extra layer of pressure, even in the swing-based format. Here's a look at the eight Home Run Derby pitchers and the unique relationships they share with their sluggers.
Junior Caminero
Pitcher: Rays Major League field coordinator Tomas Francisco
Caminero has chosen Francisco, a fourth-year coach on Kevin Cash’s staff who primarily works with Tampa Bay’s catchers. Francisco was throwing to Caminero when he finished second to champion Cal Raleigh last year, and he's out to win it all this time. Caminero immediately identified Francisco as his pitcher when he announced his return to the Derby.
"It’s time. Definitely, that’s the goal: to win it all. But any time you get to do that, spend that time there with all the stars in the Home Run Derby, you just enjoy the opportunity. It’s pretty sweet. Just being around those stars, all those players, being in the clubhouse with those guys, it’s just unbelievable. You never know when you’re going to have the opportunity again, so you embrace that moment." -- Francisco
Ben Rice
Pitcher: Dan Rice
Ben Rice has chosen his father, Dan Rice, as his pitcher. Dan was a pitcher on Brown University’s baseball team in the 1980s, and he's been there for Ben every step of the way, throwing him batting practice and helping him fine-tune his swing. Ben said, "My dad has always been there for me. Every offseason, I’m going back and making sure I get my BP in with my dad. He always went the extra mile; he’d drive an hour-plus or two hours from Cohasset, and we’d go hit at a local field to get our swings in for the day."
Willson Contreras
Pitcher: Willson Flores
Contreras has chosen his former Cubs teammate, Willson Flores, as his pitcher. Flores started the season as Boston’s first base coach and infield instructor but moved to interim bench coach in late April. He and Contreras go back all the way to their years together with the Cubs, starting their relationship in 2013 when Contreras was in the Minors. Flores had planned to fly to Puerto Rico for the start of the All-Star break but he will postpone that trip until Tuesday morning so he can throw to Contreras.
"I’ve known Willson since he was a puppy. I’ll try to throw cookies and hopefully put them on the barrel and he gets into a good rhythm and it’s all about good rhythm. Seeing the success he's had this season both offensively and defensively makes me extremely proud, and hopefully, I’ll put him in a good position to succeed and be one of those finalists in the Derby." -- Flores
Jac Caglianone
Pitcher: Jeff Caglianone
Jac Caglianone has chosen his father, Jeff, as his pitcher. Jeff’s credentials as a BP thrower go far beyond his son: Other Plant High School alums from the Tampa area have said that they like Jeff’s BP… including two-time Derby champion Pete Alonso. Jac said, "Having my dad throw is a huge reason why I’m doing it in the first place, to be honest with you. That’s stuff we talked about growing up, like, ‘How cool would that be?’ He’s thrown to me my entire life. So when I got asked to do it, it’s like a bucket-list thing for both him and me. I think having that experience together will be like the most important thing I’ll get out of all of this."
The Longtime Partners
Jordan Walker
Pitcher: Kleininger Teran
Walker has chosen Kleininger Teran, a longtime bullpen catcher for the Cardinals, as his pitcher. Teran threw to Albert Pujols in the 2022 Derby, helping guide him to the semifinals. Walker said, "He said he was going to be nervous. I was like, I’m probably going to be more nervous than you are, so don’t even worry about it. … It’s straight, he throws it middle-in. He’s got really good accuracy. We’ll see when it comes down to the Home Run Derby time, but that’s why we’re going to practice. But, yeah. I really like his BP and he’s the guy to take me there, and hopefully win it."
Kyle Schwarber
Pitcher: Jose Pena
Schwarber has chosen Jose Pena, a coach who has thrown him pitches where he wants in the batting cage. Schwarber said, "I’ve hit off him in the cage the last two years, and he makes the most sense."
The Health-Conscious Sluggers
Mune Murakami
Pitcher: Jose Sierra
Murakami has chosen Jose Sierra, who regularly throws batting practice for the White Sox. Sierra also was on the mound for Luis Robert Jr. in the 2023 All-Star competition when Robert launched 28 home runs in the first round to beat Adley Rutschman. White Sox general manager Chris Getz said, "We knew it was a possibility. And we feel like it's a tremendous opportunity for the Chicago White Sox and Mune to show his abilities on a big stage."
The Familiar Faces
Bryce Harper
Pitcher: Kevin Ebel
Harper has chosen Kevin Ebel, a coach who threw to him in 2018 when he won the Home Run Derby with the Nationals at Nationals Park. Ebel can throw a good BP, and they worked together at the World Baseball Classic. Harper said, "He’s pretty dang good at it. So, it’ll be fun. The tough part will be not being able to practice with him before the Derby. So, we’ll go into it a bit blind."
The 2026 T-Mobile Home Run Derby promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with these unique relationships adding an extra layer of intrigue to the event. From coaches and family members to longtime partners and familiar faces, each pitcher brings their own story to the Derby. As the event unfolds, we'll get to see these relationships play out on the field, with the sluggers and pitchers working together to create some unforgettable moments.
