Bryce Harper, the Phillies slugger rocking his eighth season in Philly, is officially locked in for the 2026 Home Run Derby, and his choice for a pitcher? None other than Dodgers third base coach Dino Ebel. This is big news, especially with the event set in Philadelphia, a site announced for the All-Star festivities a full seven years ago. Harper, with his star power and slugging ability, was always a likely bet for this event, but who knew we'd get this kind of inter-league collaboration for the pitching duties?
The Derby Quest and the "Blind" Trust
Harper's journey to committing to the Derby wasn't a slam dunk. His father, who famously threw to him for his 2018 Derby victory in Washington D.C., wasn't an option this time around. That left Harper scrambling to find someone trustworthy enough for such a massive event. He actually held off on his official announcement until just days before the Derby, mostly because he didn't have a locked-in pitching option. So, what pushed him over the edge? Harper put it best himself, saying, "Knowing the fans want me to do it, my kids are going to be able to remember it, things like that sparked my interest a little bit more." He settled on Ebel after developing a relationship with him at another major baseball event earlier in 2026. Harper praised Ebel, telling The Athletic, "He throws a really good BP." But there's a catch: "I think the tough part is I won’t be able to see him before the Derby really to practice or anything else. So we’re trying to go into it a little bit blind." Talk about high stakes!Who Is This Triple-Crown Coach with Derby Swag?
So, who is this Dino Ebel? He's a 60-year-old coach currently holding down third base for the Dodgers. More than that, Ebel is a three-time World Series champion coach who has, according to the source, "found some derby success" in the past. Born in Barstow, California, Ebel played ball himself, attending San Bernardino Valley College and winning an NCAA Division II title with Florida Southern College in 1988. He joined the Dodgers organization as a free agent, found some minor league success, and then transitioned into coaching. Ebel started as a player-coach in Class A-Advanced and high-A before becoming a minor-league manager by 1997. He spent 17 years in the Dodgers' system before moving to the Angels' in 2005, where he coached the Stingers in the PCL before making it to the big leagues. It's clear Ebel is one of the more highly-regarded assistant coaches in baseball, having spent nearly his entire life in the sport as a manager and coach across various levels. Harper going for his second Derby trophy in front of his home fans is already incredible, but doing it with a Dodgers coach he's barely practiced with? That's a whole new level of drama. Will this "blind" partnership with the highly-regarded Ebel pay off for Harper? We're all gonna find out soon enough.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.