The Philadelphia Phillies will be hosting the All-Star Game and its other festivities next week, and they will send five players for the hometown fans to root for.
Among those five players is first basemanBryce Harper, who is currently in the middle of his eighth season with the Phillies. This will be his third All-Star selection with the team after previously earning a nod in 2022 and 2024.
But playing in the game may not be the only thing Harper does. In an interview with Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia, the 33-year-old will participate in the Home Run Derby on July 13 - on one condition.
In order to feel comfortable participating in the Derby, Harper needs "the right pitcher" to throw to him.
"It’s a big thing. You can’t just pick somebody random," Harper said to Salisbury on Sunday. "Also with it being the swings and not the timing on the clock — if I don’t get any pitches I can hit, swing-wise I’m in trouble. And I’m not going to do something if I’m going to have a half-mentality toward it because I’m worried about the pitcher."
During his time with the Washington Nationals, Harper participated in the Home Run Derby twice and shined in both. In 2013, at the age of 21, he hit 24 total home runs and finished runner-up to Yoenis Cespedes. In 2018, playing in front of his home fans at Nationals Park, Harper won the Derby in dramatic fashion over future Phillies teammate Kyle Schwarber. If Harper participates this year, it would be his first time representing the Phillies.
When Harper previously won the event, his father Ron was pitching to him. However, the slugger has expressed doubt about his dad being able to prepare for the event this time around, as he hasn't thrown in a while.
"It’s a lot of pitches in one night. I don’t want to put him in that situation," Harper said.
As such, Harper is now searching for another ideal candidate. Many have reached out to him, including a handful of ex-major leaguers. But Harper is looking for the arm that gives him the best chance at winning.
"If I’m going to do it, I’m going to be full bore and very confident in winning it," Harper said. "I’m not going out there just to have fun. I’m going out there to win it."
Fortunately, the star slugger has plenty of time to make a decision and find the right guy to throw to him. And if he does find that match and participate in the Derby, the entire Philadelphia faithful will be on his side, just like he had Washington fans roaring for him nearly eight years prior.
As of now, the only confirmed participant is Junior Caminero of the Tampa Bay Rays. There are seven more spots up for grabs before the Home Run Derby commences at Citizens Bank Park next Monday.
