Harper previously insisted he would do it in Washington once the city was awarded the ASG in '15GETTY IMAGES
Nationals RF Bryce Harper will participate in the July 16 Home Run Derby at Nationals Park, which likely "makes the people at MLB headquarters very happy," according to Jorge Castillo of the WASHINGTON POST. Harper recently indicated that he would participate in the event "only if he made" the NL All-Star team. That "isn’t in doubt anymore" thanks to an "insurmountable" lead in fan voting with just two days left. Several MLB stars, including Angels CF Mike Trout, Yankees RF Aaron Judge, Red Sox RF Mookie Betts and DH J.D. Martinez, have "already publicly disclosed they don’t plan on taking part" in the Derby, while Yankees LF Giancarlo Stanton "hasn’t thought about it." Those five players are among the "most popular sluggers in the league," and their absences "lower the star wattage ceiling." Sources said that MLB has "placed calls recently to club officials" across the league asking if they could "inquire about their sluggers’ status for the Derby." Harper said that he committed to the Derby "because he insisted he would do it in Washington once the city was awarded" the ASG in '15. Harper "might be the most marketable player in the majors," and he "boasts the star power the league covets for one of its marquee events" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 7/3).
