Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper has unarguably been baseball’s most productive hitter this season, tied with Nelson Cruz for the major league lead in home runs with 18. Fans may not get to see him hit any dingers at the 2015 Home Run Derby in Cincinnati this summer, however.
C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports:With his father – and pitcher – on the disabled list, Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper said he may not participate in this year’s Home Run Derby at Great American Ball Park, but he hasn’t made a final decision yet.
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“I probably won’t be able to do it this year, because he’s my guy,” Harper said of his father.
It would be extra special, because the elder Harper was a big Reds fan growing up.
Harper, 22, owns an MVP-caliber .325/.469/.724 triple-slash line along with the 18 home runs and 43 RBI. He is no stranger to the home run derby, as he finished as a runner-up to then-Athletic Yoenis Cespedes in the 2013 Derby.