Wilson: Simmons wins WCBL All-Star Game HR Derby

David Simmons, an outfielder with the Energy City Cactus Rats, won the 2026 Western Canadian Baseball League All-Star Game Home Run Derby on Saturday. Photo: Ian Wilson

July 19, 2026

By Ian Wilson

Western Canadian Baseball League

He started off with a bang and finished with a bang.

And then he had to wait and see if it was enough.

David Simmons, outfielder with the Energy City Cactus Rats, was the first contestant in the 2026 WCBL Home Run Derby and he set the tone early by launching five home runs in the opening round.

As that first round progressed, three other sluggers put up five long balls during an untimed event that saw each participant get 15 swings to see how many homers they could push out of NexGen Patch at Cairns Field in Saskatoon.

Rece Schuerman of the Sylvan Lake Gulls, Brett Petillo of the Fort McMurray Giants and the crowd favourite, Ethan Murdoch of the Berries, all matched Simmons total of five round trippers.

That set up a four-way tie for the lead, with the quartet of baseball bashers advancing to the second and final round.

Simmons once again led the charge and popped two homers on his first two swings. Another four long balls, including a pair in his final two hacks, gave him a total of six.

The Atlanta product had to sit and wait once more as a trio of hard hitters went to work.

Murdoch came up empty on his first seven swings, but managed five homers in his final eight attempts, falling just short of the bar set by Simmons.

Petillo also got to five home runs, just shy of the lead, while Schuerman launched four long balls.

"It feels pretty good. I've been in a few derbies and I've come in second place every time so to finally come out and get the dub, it means a lot to me," said an elated Simmons, who was pitched to by Cactus Rats head coach Jordan Blundell.

"I was trying to come out and set the tone early and I was able to do that ... there's a lot of talented guys in this so I'm glad I was able to come out on top in this."

Added Simmons: "This is my first time in this league and I'm having the time of my life."

The temperatures surpassed 30C on a sun-soaked day in Saskatoon but Simmons was unphased by it.

"I'm from Atlanta and we've got the humidity and everything, so the heat wasn't anything, it was normal for me. I sweat a lot but I love it. It makes me feeling like I'm working," said Simmons.

2026 HOME RUN DERBY RESULTS

Opening Round

David Simmons, Energy City Cactus Rats ... 5

Chris Franks, Moose Jaw Miller Express ... 2

Jack Wheatley, Lethbridge Bulls ... 2

Ethan Murdoch, Saskatoon Berries ... 5

Brett Petillo, Fort McMurray Giants ... 5

Blake Dale, Medicine Hat Mavericks ... 2

Owen Fernandes, Brooks Bombers ... 1

Brady Bye, Regina Red Sox ... 1

Rece Schuerman, Sylvan Lake Gulls ... 5

Rob Gurney, Weyburn Beavers ... 2

Jayden Lusk, Okotoks Dawgs ... 3

Keagan Knowler ... 2

FINAL ROUND

Simmons ... 6

Murdoch ... 5

Petillo ... 5

Schuerman ... 4