Bryce Harper won't be participating in this year's Home Run Derby because his dad is injured

By JOHN DORN

Bryce Harper might be the most entertaining player in the MLB -- particularly when he's at the dish, taking hacks at batting practice fastballs. So, naturally, the Home Run Derby acts as the perfect opportunity to showcase Peak Bryce.

Heck, he already put on a show once in 2013 at Citi Field, when he launched 24 homers during that year's contest. But we'll have to wait at least one more year to see the 22-year-old on display.

The Nationals outfielder confirmed to reporters Monday that he won't be swinging away in this year's tournament, but not necessarily of his own accord. See, a batter is nothing without a pitcher, and Harper's pitcher isn't healthy enough to give it a go.

That pitcher is his father, who also threw to Bryce during the '13 derby. He explained further (via The Washington Post):

%shareLinks-quote="If I win it for the first time, I want it to be with my dad. That's something really special. We'll see. I've still gotta make the all-star team." type="quote" author="Bryce Harper" authordesc="Nationals OF" isquoteoftheday="false"%

Harper already has tallied a career-high 25 home runs through 76 games and is batting a whopping .347 while getting on base 47 percent of the time.

He won't be hacking away in the derby, but maybe Harper will put on a show during the main event on July 14 -- the 86th MLB All-Star Game.

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