Cardinals Fans Receive Exciting Jordan Walker News on Thursday
Jordan Walker is headed to Philadelphia for the Home Run Derby, adding another highlight to what has already become the best season of his career.
The St. Louis Cardinals right fielder announced Thursday that he will participate in the 2026 T-Mobile Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park on July 13. Walker becomes the fifth confirmed participant in this year's field, joining Junior Caminero of the Tampa Bay Rays, Ben Rice of the New York Yankees, Jac Caglianone of the Kansas City Royals and Willson Contreras of the Boston Red Sox.
Walker also earned his first career All-Star selection earlier this week and will represent the Cardinals in the Midsummer Classic on July 14. He becomes the first Cardinals hitter to participate in the Derby since Albert Pujols in 2022, giving St. Louis back-to-back All-Star weeks to celebrate.
J-Bombs are coming to the Home Run Derby! pic.twitter.com/SnpgCAaxAc
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) July 9, 2026
No Cardinal has ever won the Derby, though Pujols came closest when he finished as runner-up in 2003. Walker enters this year's field as one of the more intriguing power bats given his elite Statcast metrics.
The 24-year-old is in the midst of a breakout fourth season, batting .293 with 21 home runs and a major-league-leading 70 RBIs. His 94 mph average exit velocity ranks in the 98th percentile and his 79 mph bat speed ranks among the best in the sport.
Walker was drafted 21st overall by the Cardinals in the 2020 MLB Draft out of Decatur High School in Georgia, passing up a commitment to Duke to sign for $2.9 million. He debuted on March 30, 2023 and was rated the No. 4 overall prospect in baseball by Baseball America entering that season.
The Cardinals are 48-43 and third in the National League Central, in the thick of the wild card race. Walker has been the engine of their offense all season. The Derby airs live at 8 p.m. ET on Netflix on July 13, with pregame coverage beginning at 7 p.m. ET.
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This story was originally published July 9, 2026 at 10:13 AM.