Harper vows to participate in HR Derby if he makes All-Star Game
Washington Nationals star Bryce Harper said Friday he'll participate in this year's Home Run Derby only if he's chosen to represent the National League at the 2018 All-Star Game.
"Count me in for the Derby if and only if I make the team," Harper said in a text message to Barry Svrluga of The Washington Post.
Expect Harper to be in the Derby, in other words.
As of the most recent All-Star balloting update, Harper trailed only Nick Markakis of the Atlanta Braves in votes among NL outfielders, and the 2015 MVP had received 323,865 more votes than the fourth-most popular outfielder, Colorado Rockies center fielder Charlie Blackmon.
So barring something unexpected, Harper will earn his sixth career trip to the Midsummer Classic next month to represent the event's host city in the 2018 Home Run Derby.
Harper, who lost to Yoenis Cespedes in the final round of the 2013 Home Run Derby, currently leads the NL with 19 home runs. Over his last 18 contests, however, the 25-year-old has gone deep just once, hitting .141/.253/.219 during that span.
No other participants have been confirmed for the Derby's eight-player field, and reigning champion Aaron Judge suggested during spring training that he probably wouldn't defend his title.