Willson Contreras ending Red Sox's 15-year Home Run Derby drought

Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Willson Contreras ending Red Sox's 15-year Home Run Derby drought

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Jul 8, 2026 5:59 PM ET

It's been a long time since a member of the Boston Red Sox has competed in the Major League Baseball Home Run Derby.

The last Boston stars to participate in the event were former designated hitter/first baseman David Ortiz and ex-first baseman Adrian Gonzalez in 2011. Gonzalez lost to former New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano in the final. Now, current Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras will try to do what Gonzalez couldn't: win it.

Willson Contreras joins 2026 Home Run Derby field

On Wednesday, the Red Sox confirmed Contreras will be in the Home Run Derby, scheduled for this upcoming Monday at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia (Netflix, 8 p.m. ET). Though he was recently suspended for a fight with Washington Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli, he is appealing, allowing him to partake.

This came shortly after Kansas City Royals right fielder Jac Caglianone announced he will also join the field, which already includes Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero and Yankees first baseman Ben Rice. Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper indicated he will compete under one condition. His teammate, designated hitter Kyle Schwarber, is expected to commit at a later date.

Ready to mash in Philly

Willson's in for the 2026 Home Run Derby! pic.twitter.com/xUv3WDh5to
— Red Sox (@RedSox) July 8, 2026

The 2026 Home Run Derby has undergone some changes. It will return to a swing-based format this year, instead of the timer-and-outs format it had used since 2015. Batters will have 20 swings in Round 1, 15 in Round 2 and 15 in the finals.

Contreras, 34, probably doesn't care about that. A career year at the plate should give him plenty of confidence entering the Home Run Derby. Entering Tuesday, he was tied for 12th in baseball in home runs (20).

If he wins the event, Contreras will become the first Red Sox player to do so since Ortiz in 2010. He remains the only player in franchise history to raise that trophy.

Clark Dalton

Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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