Bryce Harper Isn’t Sure He Wants to Defend His Home Run Derby Crown in Philly

Philadelphia is about to host its first All-Star Game in 22 years. The city is going to lose its mind. The fans are ready. The ballpark is ready. The only question is whether its biggest star will actually participate in the Home Run Derby.

Bryce Harper isn’t saying no, but he’s definitely not saying yes.

He’s got 20 home runs this season. His OPS sits at .908. At 33, he’s still crushing baseballs even if his legs aren’t what they used to be. Nobody doubts he’d be a threat in the derby. But Harper won it back in 2018, beating teammate Kyle Schwarber in the final round by launching 19 dingers. He checked that box already.

“We’ll see. Last time I did it, I won and I said I’d never do it again. I don’t know. We’ll see how I’m feeling,” Harper told Tim Kelly of On Pattison.

There’s also the matter of who throws to him. Harper’s dad has been his pitcher in past derbies, but according to Harper, the old man hasn’t thrown in a long time. And Harper doesn’t want to do it without him.

“I don’t have anyone to throw to me as well. My dad hasn’t thrown in a long time, so I don’t really want to do it without him. It’s a moment for me and him,” Harper said. “Obviously, I know the fans want me to do it. I’ll take that into account, but we’ll see how much oomph, I guess, I have behind me going out there and doing it.”

So there’s the tension. The city wants a show. The league wants a draw. Schwarber has already confirmed he’s participating, which means there’s a built-in storyline right there — a rematch from 2018, only this time Schwarber would get a chance to flip the script in front of a home crowd.

But Harper has to actually say yes first. And right now, he sounds like a guy who’s leaning toward letting someone else take the swings.

The All-Star festivities at Citizens Bank Park are a big deal for Philadelphia. It’s the first time the stadium has hosted the event since it opened in 2004. The city deserves a moment. The fans deserve a moment. Whether Harper feels the same way will determine a lot about how that week feels for everyone involved.

For now, it’s a waiting game. Harper will decide eventually. But if his dad’s arm isn’t ready, don’t count on seeing No. 3 in the derby.