While the Indiana baseball program experienced an underwhelming campaign this past season, one former Hoosier is putting on a show at the big league level.
Kyle Schwarber continues to mash home runs at a historic rate, and his power is about to be on full display on the national stage. The 2026 MLB All-Star Game is next week, and Schwarber will be under the bright lights on more than one occasion.
Kyle Schwarber set to shine in MLB All-Star Game and Home Run Derby
Schwarber was recently named to the National League All-Star team, giving him his fourth career All-Star nod. The mid-summer classic is set for Tuesday, July 14 at 8 p.m. ET.
A feat over Shohei Ohtani makes Kyle Schwarber's All-Star nod even more impressive
Additionally, Schwarber has also been named as a contestant in the Home run Derby, which takes place a day before the All-Star Game on Monday, July 13. Both recognitions are well-deserved, and Hoosier fans are sure to be cheering him on during both contests.
Ring the SchwarBell! 🔔
— MLB (@MLB) July 10, 2026
Kyle Schwarber is officially IN for the @TMobile #HRDerby
Watch live on Netflix, July 13 at 8 pm ET with special coverage beginning at 7 pm ET pic.twitter.com/SVbEaIgS3a
After signing a 5-year, $150 million contract with the Phillies in the offseason, Schwarber has been on a home run rampage all season long. He leads the big leagues with 32 home runs to his name, making him an early favorite to win the Home Run Derby. The Eaton, OH native is on pace to mash 60+ homers this season, which would put him in rarified air when it comes to baseball's all-time great sluggers.
Schwarber's 2026 home run barrage also has him chasing a key historic milestone. With 372 career home runs under his belt, the former IU great is just 28 homers away from reaching the elusive 400-home run club. That club currently includes just 59 players. Given the pace at which Schwarber is leaving the yard, both the 60-homer mark and 400-homer mark in his career are well within reach this season.
Kyle Schwarber has unique home field advantage in the Home Run Derby
The 2026 MLB Home Run Derby and All-Star Game is set to take place at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. That gives Schwarber a unique home field advantage when going up against the game's top talent.
Not only will Schwarber be more comfortable playing in his home ballpark, but he has delivered tremendous results at Citizens Bank Park this season. So far, Schwarber has hit 19 of his 32 home runs at home, and he owns an impressive .663 slugging percentage to go along with a 1.044 OPS at home. For comparison, he is currently sporting a .486 slugging percentage and .843 OPS when playing away from Philadelphia. Those are still great numbers, but it's clear that Schwarber enjoys hitting in The City of Brotherly Love.
Contenders in the Home Run Derby that Schwarber will be going up against include his Philadelphia teammate Bryce Harper, Tampa Bay's Junior Caminero, Boston's Wilson Contreras, Kansas City's Jack Caglianone, St. Louis' Jordan Walker, Munetaka Murakami of the White Sox, and Ben Rice of the Yankees.
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