Phillies’ Bryce Harper Makes Request After Career Decision

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Xavier Constantino | Last updated Jul 10, 2026 1:17 PM ET

Bryce Harper will be swinging for the fences at home this time, and he wants to make sure that the balls fly out of Citizens Bank Park.

The Philadelphia Phillies first baseman announced Thursday that he will compete in Monday's Home Run Derby in Philadelphia, his third career appearance, looking to add another HR Derby title to his trophy case.

Harper has hit 20 home runs this season, carrying a .261 batting average and a .870 OPS into All-Star weekend. It will be his first derby appearance since 2018, when he beat now-teammate Kyle Schwarber in the final round at Nationals Park while playing for the Washington Nationals . He also finished runner-up to Yoenis Cespedes in 2013.

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (3) Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Now Harper is trying to make the event even more chaotic. Competitors head to the derby with custom-made bats, adorned with special paint jobs and graphics to show off some flair during the competition. However, he floated an idea with ESPN's Buster Olney on how to spice up the derby's gold-ball bonus round.

Harper's pitch: When gold balls enter play, let hitters swing aluminum bats instead of wood. MLB would likely need a waiver from every fan in the outfield seats before signing off on it, but the idea fits a player who has never been shy about turning the derby into a show.

Bryce Harper has a fun idea for the HR Derby: When the gold balls are brought into play, let the hitters swing aluminum bats.
That would be a show... and you might see balls leave Citizens Bank Park.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 10, 2026

Harper is trying to win another derby at home as well as the fifth multi-champion in derby history. Dodgers third base coach Dino Ebel will be on the mound to throw to Harper. The Phillies now head to Detroit for a three-game series against the Tigers before returning home for the All-Star break.

The 2026 T-Mobile Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia will take place on Monday, July 13 at 8:00 p.m. ET on Netflix.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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