Jordan Walker added an unexpected milestone to his breakout season Monday night, winning the MLB Home Run Derby in front of a sold-out crowd at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
The St. Louis Cardinals outfielder earned $1 million for the victory, which is more than the $799,400 he is scheduled to make with the club this season. The Derby’s total prize pool was $2.5 million, with runner-up Kyle Schwarber taking home $500,000 and the remaining participants each receiving $150,000.
Walker entered the final round against Schwarber, who had the advantage of both momentum and the home crowd. Phillies fans packed the stadium and spent much of the night backing their designated hitter. Schwarber put together a strong final round, launching 11 home runs in his 15 swings and putting Walker in a difficult spot.
At first, it seemed as if the contest was over. Walker managed only six home runs through his first dozen swings. Then he found a rhythm at exactly the right time.
He connected repeatedly down the stretch and erased the deficit before the round came to an end, completing one of the night’s biggest surprises. By the time his final swing landed in the seats, many fans who had expected a Schwarber celebration were left watching in silence.
After the event, Walker said he understood why Philadelphia fans were so vocal throughout the evening. He described the atmosphere as tough but said it reflected how strongly the city’s supporters stand behind their players.
The Derby was played under MLB’s newer swing-based format, which gives hitters a set number of swings rather than a timed round. Players who homer on their final opportunity can continue taking bonus swings, creating the possibility for late rallies.
Walker took advantage of that format throughout the competition. He advanced past Tampa Bay’s Junior Caminero in the semifinals before meeting Schwarber in the championship matchup. Caminero also recorded the longest home run of the night, a 491-foot drive that earned him an additional $100,000.
The win capped a turnaround that few would have predicted two years ago.
Walker burst onto the major league scene in 2023, batting .276 with 16 home runs and 51 RBIs during his rookie season. His production dropped over the next two years. He appeared in only 51 games in 2024 and hit .201, then finished the 2025 season with a .215 average and six home runs across 111 games.
This year has been different. Through 93 games, Walker owns a .294 batting average with 22 home runs and a major league-leading 74 RBIs.
His resurgence has helped keep St. Louis in postseason contention. The Cardinals entered the All-Star break at 50-45, sitting third in the National League Central while remaining firmly in the Wild Card race.
Walker is also making his first appearance at MLB’s All-Star festivities. Less than four months ago, questions still surrounded his long-term future in St. Louis. On Monday night, he walked off the field with a trophy, a larger paycheck than his annual salary, and one more event left on his schedule before leaving Philadelphia.
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