Phillies’ Bryce Harper commits to Home Run Derby

The Philadelphia faithful will get the chance to cheer on one of their own as baseball’s top sluggers swing for the fences in the 2026 Home Run Derby (8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+).

Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper announced Thursday that he will participate in the event at Citizens Bank Park after previously saying that he would compete if he could find a pitcher.

Harper now joins a Home Run Derby field that already includes Junior Caminero, Jac Caglianone, Ben Rice, Willson Contreras and Jordan Walker.

A hometown Derby is nothing new to Harper, who claimed the home run crown in 2018 at Nationals Park while suiting up for Washington.

The two-time MVP defeated his current teammate, Kyle Schwarber, in the final while his dad threw to him for the evening.

Harper will look to become just the fifth player to win the Derby multiple times, joining Ken Griffey Jr., Pete Alonso, Yoenis Céspedes and Prince Fielder.

This will be Harper’s third time swinging in the Derby, as he also competed in 2013.

The 33-year-old was named to the National League All-Star Team as a legend pick by commissioner Rob Manfred. Harper, however, has the numbers to back the selection.

Through 93 games this season with the Phillies, Harper is slashing .264/.371/.509 with 20 homers and 57 RBIs.