Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper has asserted that the baseballs used in the Home Run Derby are "juiced," contributing to the high number of home runs hit during the event. Harper, who participated in the derby, expressed his certainty about the ball's condition but declined to elaborate on the source of his information.
"They’re juiced," Harper told The Post. "Everybody knows it. They do it every year." He further suggested that the Home Run Derby is an exhibition, implying that altering the balls would not be considered unusual or unfair. Harper, along with Mike Trout, has previously advocated for the use of metal bats in the Derby.
Major League Baseball has pushed back against Harper's claims. While the league did not issue a direct statement regarding the "juiced balls" comment, it maintains that the baseballs used in official MLB events, including the Home Run Derby, meet strict manufacturing standards. The league has not confirmed or denied any specific alterations to the balls for the exhibition event, emphasizing consistency and fairness in competition.