The bashers of baseballs and deployers of dingers are set to deliver a home run haul.

The contestants in the Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL) Home Run Derby, which is part of the circuit's All-Star Weekend festivities, have been announced.

Set to go on Saturday, July 18th at NexGen Patch at Cairns Field in Saskatoon at 6 p.m., the homer contest will include a representative from all 12 teams in the WCBL.

Here's a closer look at the field:

EAST DIVISION

Ethan Murdoch, Saskatoon Berries ... The outfielder with the Berries will be a fan favourite for the purple-clad home crowd. He also brings experience to the event. Murdoch was the runner up in the 2023 Home Run Derby when he was a member of the Swift Current 57's. The Marshall Univesity student has been exceptional for Saskatoon in his second year with the club. He is currently among the WCBL leaders in batting average (.403), on-base percentage (.489), OPS (1.158), hits (62), doubles (12), RBI (44) and, of course, home runs (10).

Chris Franks, Moose Jaw Miller Express ... He's helped the Millers produce a balanced attack at the plate this season, and Franks will look to show off what he can do Saturday night. The lefty slugger from Wooster, Ohio is a league leader in RBI (39), on-base percentage (.483), OPS (1.071), hits (49), doubles (11), triples (4), stolen bases (12) and walks (31). The long-time Ashland University pupil has four round trippers this season.

Blake Dale, Medicine Hat Mavericks ... The power numbers for Dale check a lot of boxes for Home Run Derby qualifications. You can find his name in the leaderboards for RBI (39), doubles (16) and, yes, homers (7). In his 176 at bats with the Mavs in 2026, the infielder from Kansas Wesleyan University and third-year Mav has also produced 44 runs and eight stolen bases.

Brady Bye, Regina Red Sox ... Without question, he's ready to kiss a lot of baseballs goodbye. The defending WCBL Playoff MVP has been launching long balls all season. Bye has been a constant presence among the stats leaders for home runs (10), RBI (45) and at bats (147). The Regina third baseman also has 31 runs and nine stolen bases for the Red Sox.

Keagan Knowler, Swift Current 57's ... The toughest nomination decision for this event came out of Mitchell Field, where bash brothers Knowler and Jake Hiromoto have been blasting bombs throughout the summer. Hiromoto has 13 homers, while Knowler has a dozen as the pair have been duking it out for the WCBL lead in home runs all season. The Ontario native gets the nod here. Knowler has a .422 on-base percentage, 28 runs and 31 RBI in 116 at bats, while also putting in 21-plus innings of mound work for the 57's.

Rob Gurney, Weyburn Beavers ... A phone call to brother, Austin, may be in order. The elder Gurney participated in three WCBL Home Run Derby competitions as a member of the Miller Express and now Rob gets the spotlight. The catcher with the Beavers has four homers this season but will seek to top that amount on Saturday night. The native of Campbell River, B.C. also has nine doubles, 20 runs and 18 RBI with Weyburn this year in 111 at bats.

WEST DIVISION

Jayden Lusk, Okotoks Dawgs ... A lefty hitter with a .298 batting average and a .452 on-base percentage, Lusk appears to be an underdog in this event with just one home run this WCBL season. However, the North Hills, California product did pump out eight dingers in 53 games at Vernon College during the 2025-26 campaign. He also has 22 RBI with the Dawgs this year in 84 at bats.

Rece Schuerman, Sylvan Lake Gulls ... Here's another competitor who looks like a long-shot to win the derby. The catcher with the Gulls has a .307 batting average and two home runs, but Schuerman also has nine doubles in his 75 WCBL at bats. The Gonzaga University student will look to upset opponents in Saskatoon.

Kalem Haney, Lethbridge Bulls ... He won WCBL All-Star Game MVP honours in 2023 and now he'll look to add to his All-Star hardware. The veteran middle infielder with the Bulls and Vauxhall Academy grad has excelled at the plate this year, registering 39 runs, 45 hits, 29 RBI, seven doubles, 11 stolen bases and four homers across 127 at bats.

David Simmons, Energy City Cactus Rats ... The outfielder has a trio of homers in the WCBL this season, to go along with 22 runs, 27 hits, 15 RBI and six doubles over 101 at bats. He'll look to pump up the power numbers in front of a boisterous Saskatchewan crowd.

Owen Fernandes, Brooks Bombers ... He's a two-way threat who can get the best of opponents on the mound or at the plate, but Fernandes will only have to worry about what he can do with his bat on Saturday. The Yavapai College student has bombed out five homers in just 51 at bats with Brooks, while producing 12 runs, 12 RBI, a .294 batting average and a .390 on-base percentage. Fernandes has also logged 31 innings for the Bombers.

Jordan Breen, Fort McMurray Giants ... The Breen Machine is ready for the All-Star scene. While getting in just 59 at bats this season, the Fort Mac native has picked up 15 hits, including a pair of doubles and a round tripper. In 23 games at Clarke University, Breen bashed three homers while posting a .364 batting average.

DERBY RULES

Six participants from the East Division will compete against six competitors from the West Division in the opening round.

Each round will consist of 15 swings and no timeouts. First round totals will not carry over to the next round. 

The top two players with the most home runs will advance to the second round, regardless of which division they represent. 

If finalists are tied after the second round, each competitor will take part in a five-swing round and that format will continue until a winner is determined.