​The Philadelphia Phillies will host the 2026 MLB All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park, and six players on the Phillies’ roster earned All-Star nods, including Bryce Harper. As excitement builds around the event, there was plenty of speculation surrounding whether Harper would participate in the Home Run Derby. Harper admitted he was unsure at first, explaining that his father didn’t plan to pitch to him the way he did during his 2018 Derby appearance. To accept an invite, Harper needed to find a pitcher he trusted to throw to him.
Fortunately, a choice has been made, and Harper will take part in the Derby. But who will be throwing to him? MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki revealed the answer: the pitcher will be Dino Ebel, the Dodgers’ third-base coach, a name that Phillies fans should recognize.
Ebel’s connection to the Phillies runs deeper than just being a familiar face from the Dodgers’ coaching staff. A year ago at the All-Star Game, when the game was tied and a swing-off ensued, Kyle Schwarber—Phillies’ lone All-Star that year—delivered a spectacular performance, launching three home runs to win the event. The pitcher who faced Schwarber in that memorable moment? Dino Ebel. So, even though Harper’s father won’t be on the mound this time, he will be backed by a coach with previous All-Star Derby experience and a track record of success against left-handed power hitters.
Harper will compete in the Derby against a field that includes Willson Contreras, Jordan Walker, Junior Caminero, Jac Caglione, and Ben Rice, with two more spots yet to be determined. It’s possible that Schwarber could join the field again, or perhaps Brandon Marsh might sneak in. Regardless, Phillies fans have a favorable storyline to follow: Harper will be performing in the Derby under the guidance of a pitcher who has already demonstrated success with a left-handed Phillies slugger in a Home Run Derby setting.
This year’s Derby narrative also places the spotlight on a potential crossover of familiar faces and potential rematches, as teams and fans weigh who might step up to pitch in a showcase that highlights power and precision. Harper’s decision to team with Ebel adds an intriguing twist to the Derby, offering a blend of legacy and experience that could translate into a memorable performance in Detroit.
Beyond the Derby, the broader All-Star context remains bright for Philadelphia. The team’s continued depth and the individual star power of players like Harper keep the Phillies in the national conversation as they prepare to showcase their talent on baseball’s biggest midseason stage. The Derby stage provides an opportunity for Harper to deliver another high-profile moment for Phillies fans, while the choice of a seasoned Derby pitcher adds a layer of strategic storytelling to the spectacle.
For readers seeking more context and confirmation on the sourcing and the specifics of Harper’s Derby arrangement, The Sporting News has covered this development, and readers can consider referencing it as a preferred source. As the All-Star week unfolds, the spotlight will shine not only on the Derby participants but also on the evolving narratives that define the 2026 All-Star experience at Citizens Bank Park.