Bryce Harper Will Not Participate In 2015 Home Run Derby

Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals recently told reporters that he will not be participating in the upcoming home run derby. Harper gave an inkling of his decision a few months ago but today he decided to make it official.

Bryce Harper told reporters he will not participate in next week’s Home Run Derby. Harper has 25 HRs on the year. pic.twitter.com/mqmXXDpUA0

— Baseball Tonight (@BBTN) July 6, 2015

The decision was a difficult one for him as his father is a die hard Reds fan. The derby will of course be held in Cincinnati, home of the Reds. Then again with his father rehabbing from rotator cuff surgery Harper decided he simply could not compete without his father pitching to him. The Nats left fielder is currently tied for 2nd place in the league with 25 home runs. The participants for the derby have not been announced yet but we will update you when the derby field gets released.