The Philadelphia Phillies are hosting the 2026 MLB All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park. Of the Phillies’ roster, six players are All-Stars, including Bryce Harper.
But, when it came to Harper, there was a lot of speculation over whether he’d join the Home Run Derby or not. He revealed he was unsure, since his father wasn’t going to pitch to him as he did for his 2018 Home Run Derby. He needed to find a pitcher before accepting the invite to the Derby.
Fortunately, he’s found someone and will participate. But, who’s pitching to him? Todd Zolecki of MLB.com revealed who is pitching to Harper, and it’s someone Phillies fans will remember from last year’s All-Star Game.
Bryce Harper’s Home Run Derby pitcher revealed
“He said he fielded offers from several people to throw to him, including a few former teammates,” Zolecki writes. “Harper will speak on Friday in Detroit about the Derby, but he has chosen Dodgers third-base coach Dino Ebel to throw to him.”
While Dino Ebel isn’t a Phillies coach or someone related to the Phillies, he should be a familiar name to Phillies fans.
One year ago, during the All-Star Game, after the game was tied, there was a swing-off. Kyle Schwarber, the Phillies’ lone All-Star, put on a show, hitting three home runs to win the All-Star Game.
The pitcher for Schwarber? None other than Dino Ebel. While Harper won’t have his father pitching to him during the Home Run Derby, he’s going with someone who has experience with it before.
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Schwarber clearly found success with Ebel, and now Harper is looking to find similar success with the Dodgers’ third-base coach this summer at the Home Run Derby.
Harper will compete against Willson Contreras, Jordan Walker, Junior Caminero, Jac Caglione, and Ben Rice, with two other spots still up for grabs. Maybe Schwarber joins him in the derby, or maybe even Brandon Marsh sneaks in.
But, at the very least, Phillies fans will get to see Harper perform during the Derby, and will have a pitcher who’s already found success with a left-handed Phillies slugger in a Home-Run challenge before.