Munetaka Murakami is final participant of 2026 Home Run Derby

Chicago White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

White Sox's Munetaka Murakami is final participant of 2026 Home Run Derby

By Vanessa Serrao | Last updated Jul 10, 2026 8:45 PM ET

The final participant for the 2026 Home Run Derby has been announced, and it comes as no shock that it is the Chicago White Sox's Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami.

The event takes place on Monday at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, which will be live on Netflix.

The 26-year-old was reinstated from the injury list on Friday, who was on the 10-day injury list with a right hamstring injury and has been absent from the White Sox lineup since May 30th.

The Derby will feature Junior Caminero, Ben Rice, Jac Caglianone, Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Jordan Walker, Willson Contreras, and last but certainly not least, Murakami.

Before landing on the IL, the Japanese rising star was batting .240 with 20 home runs and 41 RBI with a .938 OPS. The White Sox are getting back a much-needed power boost as they look to secure first place in the AL Central.

Munetaka Murakami’s power will be on full display in Philadelphia

The Japanese slugger is the final player to confirm their participation in the 2026 Home Run Derby! pic.twitter.com/5FjxDWBUmh
— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) July 10, 2026

Munetaka Murakami is expected to unleash full power in Philadelphia

Murakami is certainly a top favourite to win the Home Run Derby, but he will also be replacing injured Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton in the All-Star Game.

Murakami will be making history in the Home Run Derby competition, as the second Japanese native to participate in the event. Shohei Ohtani was the first Japanese native to compete in the Derby in 2021.

The Japanese rookie will hustle and fight to become just the second White Sox power-hitter to win the Derby, as former White Sox Hall of Famer Frank Thomas won in 1995.

Murakami will also be the seventh White Sox hitter to take part in the Derby. In addition to Thomas, Murakami will also be joining former elite White Sox Derby participants Carlton Fisk (1985), Paul Konerko (2002), Jermaine Dye (2006), Todd Fraizer (2016) and Luis Robert Jr. (2023).

Vanessa Serrao

Serrao is a freelance baseball writer who has covered all MLB teams, with particular expertise on the Toronto Blue Jays. She is a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America.

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