​The Philadelphia Phillies are preparing to host All-Star week at their home stadium, Citizens Bank Park, with a number of familiar faces taking part in the events. Six Phillies will represent the club in the All-Star festivities: Cristopher Sánchez, Jesús Luzardo, Jhoan Duran, Kyle Schwarber, Brandon Marsh, and Bryce Harper. Harper is a central figure and ambassador for the Phillies, and the organization wants him front and center for as many All-Star weekend activities as possible.
The team’s wishes appear to be coming true, as Harper has now entered the Home Run Derby. He announced his participation on Instagram, joining a field that includes Schwarber, Junior Caminero, Jordan Walker, Wilson Contreras, Ben Rice, Munetaka Murakami, and Jac Cagliaone. Harper is entering the Derby with a strong track record and a desire to win.
Bryce Harper is known for his relentless effort and high-energy play. Whether he’s turning a single into a hustle double, diving to make a catch, or delivering a clutch hit, he loves to entertain. Nicknamed “The Showman,” Harper brought that flair to the 2018 Home Run Derby in Washington, D.C., winning the event in his home ballpark by defeating Kyle Schwarber in the finals.
Looking ahead to 2026, there’s a real possibility of a repeat showdown in Harper’s home park, Citizens Bank Park, with Schwarber as a potential opponent in the Home Run Derby once again. This time, however, the person feeding Harper pitches won’t be his father; instead, Dino Ebel, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ third-base coach, will be throwing. Ebel indeed reprised a similar role by pitching to Schwarber during the tie-breaking home run swing-off at the 2025 All-Star Game in Atlanta, where Schwarber went three-for-three to claim the All-Star Game MVP for the National League.
Todd Zolecki of MLB.com noted Harper’s preferences for a Derby pitcher in a July 9 article. “I’m super comfortable with my dad throwing to me for my whole life,” Harper explained. “That’s a big thing. You can’t just pick somebody random to go out there… If I’m going to do it, I want to be full bore and very confident in winning it.” With a pitcher already in place, Harper has made clear that his goal is not merely to participate but to win, even if he remains wary of the Derby’s current format.
The Home Run Derby this year differs from Harper’s 2018 victory. That year’s competition used a timed format, whereas MLB’s latest format introduces a different approach. Eight hitters will participate, and the first round allows each batter 20 swings, with the swing limit dropping to 15 in the semifinals and staying at 15 for the final. While this structure may grant hitters more downtime between swings, Harper has expressed some reservations about the changes. As NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Cole Weintraub noted in a July 8 report, Harper isn’t thrilled about the new format, even as he remains focused on performing at the highest level.