You have to check out Fanatics Sportsbook's newest big-money contest, the MLB Long Ball Jackpot.
It’s already paid out some big winners… Maybe you’ll be next?!?!
Fanatics MLB Long Ball Jackpot: An Introduction
Here's how it works:
- Opt in and bet a minimum of $5 on a player to hit a home run. You can only select one player.
- If your player hits the longest home run on the MLB slate, you split $50,000 in FanCash with everyone else who bet that player.
- But because the longest home run on a given day is pretty random and about 270 players are eligible on a 15-game slate, there have been some huge winners already.
- Home run distance is measured via MLB's StatCast, which captures "the flight of the path based on radar as far as the radar will allow us to track it" and "if the radar loses it, we project beyond it based on the physics." So, it's not a perfect measurement.
While Fanatics is the first sportsbook to run a competition based on the length of home runs in baseball, several other sportsbooks offer similar contests.
For example, DraftKings runs the NBA King of the Court contest, in which whoever bets the highest PRA total on the slate wins. Of course, this more often than not results in minuscule payouts, given how top-heavy the league is.
On the contrary, the Long Ball Jackpot offers much greater randomness, resulting in much higher payouts.
As such, the contest is far more strategic.
Long Ball Game Theory
On the surface, you’d think you want to target players who hit a ton of homers.
But the game theory in this contest runs deeper, with more statistical variables to consider.
For starters, average home run distance and launch angle are of vital importance for picking Long Ball Jackpot winners. Any search for this contest should start by identifying a group of players who thrive in these categories.
Additionally, you have to take into account the weather, specifically wind speed. Heavy winds can drastically impact the distance of any home run. At the same time, take into account the ballpark, as some are far easier than others to hit longer homers.
Finally, taking a contrarian stance in this contest is the best route. There’s little correlation between how elite a hitter is and how long he can crush a home run on any given day.
To maximize potential profit, you must get creative with your selections so your winnings are not split among a large group.
MLB Long Ball Jackpot: Contest Picks for Friday
Adolis Garcia
Adolis Garcia has had a tough last couple of seasons, with the former Ranger dealing with several different injuries.
In spite of his injuries and subpar batting average, Garcia is still one of the sport’s premium power bats.
Garcia is heating up at the right time, recording two hits in three consecutive games, and breaking through for his first home run of the 2026 season on Tuesday.
The Phillies outfielder will surely be a contrarian pick.
Upon winning its first NL East series of the season, winning two of its three games against the Nationals, the Phillies head on the road to Colorado to play the Rockies in the first of a three-game set at Coors Field.
When it comes to ballparks that allow long homers, Coors Field is at the top of the list. The Mile High City has seen some of MLB’s longest home runs over the past few seasons.
Rockies starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen has struggled with the long ball over the course of his career, allowing a career-worst 25 home runs last season. His 1.59 HR/9 allowed in 2025 was a career-worst, and his 14% HR/FB rate allowed was among the worst for qualified starters.
Lorenzen has a high fly-ball profile that often leads to homers, and his four-seam fastball was horrific last season, with hitters slugging over .500 against it.
Lorenzen's oft-hard-hit fastball could be very problematic against Garcia, who thrives against fastballs.
Pick: Adolis Garcia Home Run (+350, Fanatics)
Junior Caminero
Junior Caminero is one of the best young players in the sport.
That said, Camerino is off to a sluggish start in 2026, with the 22-year-old yet to have hit a single home run after smashing 45 last season.
The Rays head on the road to Minnesota for the last of three series away from their home park.
Right-handed starting pitcher Bailey Ober is set to take the mound for the Twins in Game 1. Among pitchers last season, Ober allowed the seventh-most home runs, with 30.
After posting an ERA north of 5.00 in 2025, he’s carried that poor form into 2026, allowing three runs across four innings pitched in his season debut.
Ober's declining velocity (sub-90 MPH in Spring Training), combined with his home-run struggles, makes him vulnerable to a high-power hitter like Caminero, who has shown he can dominate fastballs and sinkers.
If Ober cannot regain his arm strength, I love Caminero to take advantage of this matchup with heavy contact, and expect him to ultimately smash his first home run of the season.
Caminero demonstrated his raw power last season, blasting two home runs upwards of 470 feet.
If he gets hold of a high fastball on Friday, look out.
Pick: Junior Caminero Home Run
