Yankees' All-Star Earns Second AL Player of the Week Award
It's been quite the first half of 2026 for New York Yankeesfirst baseman Ben Rice. Not only was he named to his first MLB All-Star Game, but he's also competing in Monday's Home Run Derby. Just ahead of the start of the derby, Rice was honored as last week's American League Player of the Week.
Rice has been a godsend for the Yankees this year, especially after superstar Aaron Judge was placed on the IL on June 2. Last week, Rice went 11-for-26 with five home runs, 12 RBI, and a staggering 1.577 OPS in seven games. The Yankees went 5-2 last week, with a three-game sweep of the Washington Nationals and a four-game split with the division-leading Tampa Bay Rays. Rice has been a major reason why the Yankees remain in playoff position, despite Judge's absence.
It's Ben a Big Week
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 13, 2026
Congratulations to Rice on being named A.L. Player of the Week! pic.twitter.com/jHPdHE4GPQ
This is the second time that Rice has won the award this season, after receiving his first nod on June 1. In 91 games, the 27-year-old is slashing .279/.372/.599, with 29 home runs and 68 RBI. At the MLB All-Star break, those figures are already career-highs for Rice, who is enjoying a true breakout season.
Ben Rice gives the @Yankees the lead with a 2-run TRIPLE! pic.twitter.com/3pz9Lvj7Fo
— MLB (@MLB) July 12, 2026
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Rice will start at first base for the American League on Tuesday, after Toronto Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr announced that he is foregoing the event to rest his ailing back. The MLB All-Star Game starters are based mostly on fan voting, but if it were by performance and statistics, Rice would be the appropriate starter this year.
Competing in his first Home Run Derby, Rice will be batting fifth out of eight contestants and joining fellow AL East competitors Junior Caminero of the Rays and Willson Contreras of the Boston Red Sox.
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