Rice & Dad's Derby Duo
Yankees Slugger Ben Rice Joins Home Run Derby with Father as Pitcher
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Key Points
1
Rice is having a power-rich season, hitting .267 with 25 home runs, which ranks fifth in the majors and third in the American League.
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Cal Raleigh won the Home Run Derby in 2025 with his father pitching to him, and his younger brother behind the plate — a recent example of a family-pitch setup that echoes Rice’s Derby arrangement.
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Prep for the Derby includes a focus on situational hitting and off-balance pitches, with Ben Rice noting that his father’s sessions emphasize pressure-free, game-like scenarios.
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Citizens Bank Park is regarded as favorable to left-handed hitters, a factor that could influence Rice’s Derby performance.
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As of the reporting, Junior Caminero was the only other announced participant in the Home Run Derby alongside Rice.
New York Yankees first baseman Ben Rice will swing for the fences at the T-Mobile Home Run Derby on July 13 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia — and his father, Dan Rice, will be throwing the pitches. Pinstripe Alley reported the father-son pairing, making it one of the most personal storylines heading into the Midsummer Classic.
Rice, 27, is having a breakout season. He is hitting .267 with 25 home runs, which ranks fifth in the majors and third in the American League. Times Leader noted he is also chasing history — no Yankees player has won the Derby since Aaron Judge did it in 2017.
A Father's Pitches Powered Rice's Rise
Dan Rice has been tossing batting practice to his son for decades. The routine started during Ben's college days at Dartmouth, where he starred before climbing quickly through the Yankees' farm system. Manager Aaron Boone praised the arrangement. He said having his father pitch could be a real "springboard" for Rice heading into the second half of the season.
Ben Rice has said his father's sessions focus on pressure-free, game-like situations. The two work on off-balance pitches and situational hitting — not just power. That approach mirrors how Rice plays: patient, but dangerous when he gets a pitch to hit. Sports Yahoo reported this will be Rice's first All-Star event of any kind.
Citizens Bank Park Favors Left-Handed Power Hitters
Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park is widely seen as one of the better home run ballparks in baseball, especially for left-handed hitters like Rice. The dimensions and wind patterns tend to play in favor of pull hitters. Rice should benefit from the setting as he looks to make a deep run in the bracket.
The Derby has also changed its format away from timed rounds. Instead of a clock counting down, the new setup is designed to reduce fatigue. Rice has pointed to this change as a positive. Tired arms late in a timed round can cost a hitter dearly, and the new rules help level that playing field.
Family Pitching Has Already Won a Derby in 2025
Rice is not the first slugger to lean on family for Derby night. Cal Raleigh won the 2025 Home Run Derby with his father on the mound and his younger brother behind the plate. That family setup worked perfectly for Raleigh, and the Rice camp is clearly taking notes. Pinstripe Alley highlighted the parallel between the two arrangements.
As of now, only two players have been announced for the Derby: Rice and Tampa Bay Rays infielder Junior Caminero. More participants are expected to be named before the July 13 event. Sports Yahoo reported both players confirmed their spots around the same time, giving fans an early look at what could be a compelling field.
Rice Fills In as Yankees Injuries Open the Door
Rice's All-Star nod came partly because of injuries to Yankees teammates. He stepped into a larger role and made the most of it. With 25 home runs and a .267 average, he has been one of the Yankees' most productive bats all season. Big Rapids News noted he leads the team in home runs with 26 by some counts, reflecting a fast-rising total.
For the Rice family, July 13 in Philadelphia will be more than a baseball event. It is a payoff for years of early mornings, batting-practice sessions, and a father who kept showing up to throw. Whether Ben wins or not, the moment belongs to both of them.
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