Phillies' Bryce Harper needs to do one more 'big thing' before 2026 MLB Home Run Derby

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper is seeking to find one thing before participating in the 2026 MLB Home Run Derby. 

On Sunday before a road game against the Kansas City Royals, Harper confirmed he will participate in the annual event, scheduled for July 13 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia (Netflix, 8 p.m. ET). Now, he needs to tab the right pitcher. 

Bryce Harper looking for the right pitcher before Home Run Derby 

"It's a big thing. You can't just pick somebody random," Harper said, per Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia. "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 have a half-mentality toward it because I'm worried about the pitcher. 

"If I'm going to do it, I'm going to be full bore and very confident in winning it. I'm not going out there just to have fun. I'm going out there to win it." 

Harper won it in 2018 when his dad, Ron, was pitching. However, he's too rusty to do so again. 

"I'm super comfortable with my dad throwing to me my whole life, but he hasn't thrown in a while," Harper said. "I don't even think he can get ready for it. It's a lot of pitches in one night. I don't want to put him in that situation." 

Harper said he's fielding calls from former pro and college players. We'll see who he chooses. It ultimately may not matter as much as he says. The Phillies slugger should be considered one of the favorites to win the event. Entering Sunday, he was tied for 10th in baseball in home runs (20).

Harper will face plenty of competition, including his teammate, designated hitter Kyle Schwarber. Entering Sunday, he had hit a league-leading 30 homers. Both are aiming to become the first Phillie to win the event since former first baseman Ryan Howard in 2006. 

Perhaps that explains why Harper's taking this pitcher thing so seriously. He seeks any possible edge against Schwarber.