Philadelphia Phillies superstar Bryce Harper is set to return to one of baseball’s biggest showcases for the first time in roughly ten years, offering Phillies fans another high-profile moment during All-Star festivities hosted at Citizens Bank Park.
The eight-time All-Star previously claimed the 2018 Home Run Derby crown while with the Washington Nationals, delivering one of the most memorable performances of his career. Now that the event is being held in Philadelphia, Harper has chosen to enter again, though one notable aspect of his participation caught many fans off guard.
Los Angeles Dodgers Coach Will Assist Philadelphia Phillies’ Bryce Harper in Home Run Derby
Unlike his 2018 victory, when his father served as his pitcher, Harper will not rely on him this time. Instead, he will turn to a coach from one of the Phillies’ chief National League adversaries.
According to MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki, Harper mentioned that he had received multiple offers from various individuals to pitch to him, including several former teammates. Harper is scheduled to address the media on Friday in Detroit regarding the Derby, but he has already selected Dodgers third-base coach Dino Ebel to fill the throwing role.
This choice introduces an unexpected Dodgers element ahead of the season’s midseason showcase. Ebel is widely respected across baseball and has worked with many top-tier hitters during his time in Los Angeles. He also served as the pitcher for Harper’s teammate, Kyle Schwarber, when Schwarber won a first-ever swingoff following last year’s All-Star Game.
Harper had previously indicated that he might opt out of the competition if he couldn’t find a suitable pitcher.
Zolecki added that Harper expressed uncertainty on Sunday morning about whether he would participate. Ron Harper, his father, threw for him in 2018, but hasn’t pitched in recent years, and Harper emphasized that he needs to have complete confidence in his thrower if he’s going to take part.
Philadelphia Phillies’ Bryce Harper Returns to Derby with Los Angeles Dodgers Coach After Memorable Victory
Harper’s comeback occurs nearly eight years after his dramatic Derby win in Washington, a victory still remembered as one of the event’s most thrilling conclusions.
As Johnny Flores Jr. and Charlotte Varnes wrote for The Athletic, the last time Harper competed in the Home Run Derby, he sent 45 balls over the fence in D.C. At that time, he was playing for the hometown Nationals and defeated future teammate Kyle Schwarber to capture the title at Nationals Park in 2018. Now, eight years later, Harper is rejoining the Derby field, this time as a member of the Phillies, who are hosting Monday’s event as part of All-Star Week at Citizens Bank Park.
Since that Derby win, Harper has continued to strengthen his Hall of Fame credentials, and his participation gives local fans another opportunity to witness one of the game’s premier sluggers perform in the spotlight.
Given that Citizens Bank Park is expected to be favorable to hitters, Harper’s decision to bring in Ebel as his Derby pitcher could emerge as one of the more compelling subplots of All-Star Week. The partnership also represents an unusual instance of collaboration between Phillies and Dodgers staff, occurring before the two teams resume their pursuit of National League dominance later in the season.
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