The Home Run Derby field is set, and it's got a distinctly Philly flavor to it. Schwarber, who leads the majors with 32 homers this season, is officially in, teaming up with Harper to give the host city its own pair of hometown sluggers to root for on All-Star Monday.
Kyle Schwarber joins Bryce Harper in the Home Run Derby. That’s a Grand Slam for MLB!
This isn't just a random pairing either. Schwarber and Harper have Derby history together, and not the fun kind for Schwarber. Back in 2018, Schwarber made it all the way to the finals before running into Harper, who put on a legendary show in front of his own fans in Washington D.C. and walked away with the title. Harper hasn't been back in the Derby since that win, so this is his first crack at the event in 8 years, and he's picking a good time to return.
The full 8-man field rounds out with Junior Caminero, Ben Rice, Jac Caglianone, Willson Contreras, Jordan Walker and rookie Munetaka Murakami, who was the last name to officially commit. But Schwarber and Harper are the headline act, and for obvious reasons: this year's Derby is being held at Citizens Bank Park, so the two Phillies will be swinging in front of a home crowd that's going to be unhinged for both of them.
MLB Sets Home Run Derby Field t.co/LCWYfKfNG9
There's also a format change worth knowing about heading into Monday. MLB is ditching the timer that's governed the Derby since 2015 and going back to a swing-based format, which should change the strategy for guys like Schwarber who've historically thrived on raw power over pacing.
Two hometown guys, a decade-old grudge match, and a brand new format all colliding in the same building is about as good a setup as the Derby gets. If Schwarber wants revenge for 2018, Monday night at Citizens Bank Park is the spot to get it.