Jordan Walker had a better Monday night than most people have all year. Literally.
The Cardinals outfielder won the 2026 Home Run Derby in Philadelphia, and the winner’s check was $1 million. His salary for the whole 2026 season is $799,400.
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In just one night, he earned 125% of his salary.
He came from behind to grab the cash too.
Walker trailed in the final and answered with six home runs on his last six swings, closing gap and finishing off Kyle Schwarber 12-11. It came right down to the last outs of the round.
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Jordan Walker #18 of the St. Louis Cardinals competes in the finals of the 2026 Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park on July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Jordan Walker #18 of the St. Louis Cardinals competes in the finals of the 2026 Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park on July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after competing in the finals.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts as teammate Kyle Schwarber (not pictured) competes in the finals of the 2026 Home Run Derby.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies competes in the finals.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies and Jordan Walker #18 of the St. Louis Cardinals are introduced before the finals of the 2026 Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park on July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia.
(Chris Graythen, Getty Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Former Philadelphia Phillies players Ryan Howard and Bobby Abreu are introduced before the finals.
(Chris Graythen, Getty Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Fans reach for a home run ball during the home run derby.
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Willson Contreras #40 of the Boston Red Sox reacts before competing during the semifinals of the 2026 Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park.
(Chris Graythen, Getty Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies competes during the semifinals of the 2026 Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park on July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia.
(Chris Graythen, Getty Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Fans cheer on Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) during the home run derby at Citizens Bank Park.
(Eric Hartline, Imagn Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies competes during the semifinals of the 2026 Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park on July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
New York Yankees first baseman Benjamin Rice (22) makes a play at bat during the home run derby.
(Eric Hartline, Imagn Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Junior Caminero #13 of the Tampa Bay Rays competes during the semifinals of the 2026 Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park on July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Jordan Walker #18 of the St. Louis Cardinals reacts after competing during the semifinals.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
A crew member holds up a sign for safety during the home run derby.
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after competing in the 2026 Home Run Derby.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber bats during the All Star-Home Run Derby.
(Kyle Ross, Imagn Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Junior Caminero #13 of the Tampa Bay Rays competes during the 2026 Home Run Derby.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Raisel Iglesias #26 of the Atlanta Braves and his son Oliver speak to former major league baseball player Albert Pujols during the 2026 Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
A fan attempts to catch a ball hit during the 2026 Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park on July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia.
(Al Bello, Getty Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Ben Rice #22 of the New York Yankees competes during the 2026 Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park on July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia.
(Chris Graythen, Getty Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
New York Yankees infielder Ben Rice (22) bats during the All Star-Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park.
(Kyle Ross, Imagn Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
The Phillie Phanatic reacts with fans before the home run derby at Citizens Bank Park.
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Paul Skenes #30 of the Pittsburgh Pirates and American sports analyst Pat McAfee react during the 2026 Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
A fan reacts after retrieving a ball hit during the 2026 Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park on July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia.
(Al Bello, Getty Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Fans look on as the players are announced before the home run derby at Citizens Bank Park.
(Eric Hartline, Imagn Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Jac Caglianone of the Kansas City Royals competes during the 2026 Home Run Derby.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Brandon Marsh of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts during the 2026 Home Run Derby.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Willson Contreras #40 of the Boston Red Sox competes during the 2026 Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park on July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Juan Soto #22 of the New York Mets looks on during the 2026 Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Willson Contreras #40 of the Boston Red Sox competes during the 2026 Home Run Derby.
(Chris Graythen, Getty Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Fans reach for a home run ball hit by Jordan Walker of the St. Louis Cardinals.
(Al Bello, Getty Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Jordan Walker of the St. Louis Cardinals competes during the 2026 Home Run Derby.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Jordan Walker #18 of the St. Louis Cardinals competes.
(Chris Graythen, Getty Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Fans react during the fly-over during the All Star-Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park.
(Kyle Ross, Imagn Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Munetaka Murakami #5 of the Chicago White Sox, Willson Contreras #40 of the Boston Red Sox, Jac Caglianone #14 of the Kansas City Royals, and Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies look on after being introduced before the 2026 Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park on July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
American actor and comedian Will Ferrell looks on before the 2026 Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park on July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies is introduced before the 2026 Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park on July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Ben Rice #22 of the New York Yankees is introduced before the 2026 Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park on July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
A general view of the stadium and field as fans look on before the home run derby at Citizens Bank Park.
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Fans look on before the start of the home run derby at Citizens Bank Park.
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Fans look on before the start of the home run derby at Citizens Bank Park.
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Chicago White Sox third baseman Munetaka Murakami (5) warms up before the home run derby at Citizens Bank Park.
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
New York Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler (31) signs autographs before the home run derby at Citizens Bank Park.
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Chicago White Sox third baseman Munetaka Murakami (5) warms up before the home run derby at Citizens Bank Park.
(Eric Hartline, Imagn Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas (20) warms up before the home run derby at Citizens Bank Park.
(Eric Hartline, Imagn Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) warms up before the home run derby at Citizens Bank Park.
(Eric Hartline, Imagn Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Detroit Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler, left, and Detroit Tigers shortstop Kevin McGonigle warm up before the home run derby at Citizens Bank Park.
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
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Cardinals’ Jordan Walker steals the show at 2026 MLB Home Run Derby
Chicago White Sox third baseman Munetaka Murakami (5) prepares for warm ups before the home run derby at Citizens Bank Park.
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
He’d already had to grind his way there. In the semifinals, he edged Junior Caminero, 6-5, before turning around and outlasting the hometown favorite in front of a Philadelphia crowd rooting against him the whole way.
By night’s end he had hit 31 homers total across three rounds.
Walker is just 24 and still making close to the league minimum in his fourth major league season. The 2020 first-round draft pick is not eligible for arbitration until next season.
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Schwarber, the runner-up and the hometown hero, got $500,000. The six who went out earlier took $150,000 apiece. Junior Caminero banked another $100,000 for the night’s longest home run 491 feet.
Where to watch the 2026 MLB All-Star Game
The festivities continue in Philadelphia on Tuesday, July 14 with the 2026 MLB All-Star Game.
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Location: Citizens Bank Park (Philadelphia)
Watch the 2026 MLB All-Star Game with Fubo
USA TODAY at MLB All-Star Game
The 2026 Midsummer Classic has arrived, and USA TODAY will have reporters on the ground in Philadelphia and at home eager to deliver the goods. From media day and the Home Run Derby, to the red carpet and All-Star Game, we’ll have everything covered .
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jordan Walker’s Home Run Derby prize money is more than his MLB salary
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