​Dodgers third-base coach Dino Ebel is set to pitch to Bryce Harper in the 2026 Home Run Derby, as Harper aims to make history during the All-Star weekend at his home ballpark. The Philadelphia Phillies right fielder announced his third appearance in the Derby, entering a competition that could place him among MLB’s elite. If Harper wins, he would become only the fifth player to win multiple Home Run Derby titles, adding to his 2018 championship. A victory would also make him the third player in league history to claim the Derby title at his home stadium, a feat that would underscore the significance of competing in front of a home crowd.
Back in 2018, Harper’s father served as his pitcher during the derby at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. This year, Harper will rely on Ebel, a four-time Home Run Derby pitcher, who has a track record of success and a deep understanding of Derby dynamics. Ebel previously pitched to Vladimir Guerrero in 2007, Albert Pujols in 2015, Joc Pederson in 2019, and Teoscar Hernández in 2024. Hernández ultimately won the Derby in 2024 with Ebel throwing, marking another chapter in Ebel’s derby pedigree.
Harper has emphasized the importance of having a trusted pitcher for the event. He stressed that he won’t participate unless he can be fully confident in his pitcher and fully committed to winning. “I’m super comfortable with my dad throwing to me for my whole life,” Harper said, highlighting the importance of trust and familiarity in the Derby setup. “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.” He added that he wouldn’t participate unless his goal was clear: to win, not just to have fun. “I’m not going out there just to have fun, like, I want to win the thing,” Harper stated, underscoring his competitive mindset.
Ebel’s experience and approach have already influenced how players respond to Derby requests. For instance, during last year’s All-Star Game in Atlanta, Ebel coached Kyle Schwarber in a tie-breaking swing-off that featured only three swings. Ebel asked Schwarber how he wanted the balls pitched, and by honoring that request, Schwarber produced three home runs and earned the All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award. Harper is hopeful that Ebel can replicate that success for him in the Home Run Derby, leveraging trust, rhythm, and precise pitch selection to maximize his power and consistency.
The dynamic between Harper and Ebel will be closely watched as the Derby approaches. Harper’s decision to team with Ebel signals a strategic choice aimed at optimizing his performance in a high-pressure, televised event. If Harper can translate the Derby groove that worked for past winners under Ebel’s guidance, he could add a new chapter to his storied career and perhaps join the ranks of multi-time Derby champions who have excelled on baseball’s brightest stage.
As the event unfolds at Harper’s home park, fans will look for the same clutch moments that marked his 2018 victory, while also factoring in the chemistry between a veteran hitter and a trusted Derby pitcher. The combination of Harper’s power, Ebel’s Derby expertise, and the electric home-field advantage could set the stage for an unforgettable Home Run Derby—and perhaps a historic win for Bryce Harper. This year’s competition promises to be a compelling showcase of talent, strategy, and the enduring appeal of baseball’s premier home run spectacle.