After a turbulent offseason, Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper has silenced his critics early in the 2026 campaign. Despite a sluggish beginning, the two-time MVP has returned to his elite form, posting a .274/.362/.526 slash line across 53 games.
Although his defense has lagged (minus-8 Outs Above Average, per Baseball Savant), his offense has caught fire, with power on the rise including seven home runs over his last 30 games.
This surge has sparked speculation among fans and media about his possible participation in this year’s Home Run Derby. Harper has taken part twice before (2013 and 2018 as a member of the Washington Nationals). He recently addressed the topic with Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
What Did Bryce Harper Say?
When asked, Harper revealed a different priority:
“I won’t do [the Derby] if I’m not an All-Star,” he said. “I just want to be an All-Star, first and foremost. And I want to be healthy. I’m going to take health into consideration, big time, because I feel great right now, and I don’t want to screw that up. So we’ll see.”
Harper is on track for an All-Star nod, thanks to his recent hot streak and a thin field of National League first basemen. Health remains a concern for the 33-year-old, who hasn’t played 150 or more games since 2019—his first season of a 13-year deal with Philadelphia. With the All-Star Game hosted in Philadelphia, Harper has extra motivation to earn a spot.
As for the Home Run Derby, Harper might not be the only Phillie invited. Kyle Schwarber has been crushing the ball, becoming the first player in 2026 to reach 20 home runs. While it’s uncommon for two teammates to both compete in the Derby, at least one of them is likely to take part.
Is Harper’s Hot Start Sustainable?
His offense appears legitimate. Harper’s xwOBA stands at .405 (97th percentile), and his expected batting average is .295, suggesting he’s actually been unlucky on balls in play. His expected slugging (.567) also ranks in the 97th percentile. However, his hard-hit rate and average exit velocity are below league average.
Harper had a solid 2025 season, though it fell short of expectations for the eight-time All-Star. With an .844 OPS over 132 games, he disappointed some within the Phillies organization, including president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, who called Harper “not elite” during the offseason. Harper responded by mocking Dombrowski on social media, wearing a shirt that read “not elite.”
Now in his 15th season, Harper is proving Dombrowski and his doubters wrong. If he maintains this level of production, he should earn an All-Star berth—and then the decision on the Home Run Derby will be his.
Leave a Reply