Philadelphia Phillies slugger Bryce Harper advocated for the use of aluminum bats in this year's Home Run Derby, a move he believed would lead to more home runs, according to ESPN's Buster Olney. Harper specifically suggested using aluminum bats when the "gold balls" – which in past derbies have been used for last-chance swings, often triggering charitable donations for home runs – come into play.
However, Major League Baseball ultimately vetoed the idea. The proposal was confirmed by Harper with reporters on Friday.
Aluminum bats are known to significantly enhance a hitter's performance. A study by the Society for American Baseball Research found that aluminum bats can increase exit velocities by over 16 mph compared to traditional wood bats. This potential increase in batted ball speed could translate to more home runs in the derby setting.
This year's Home Run Derby will feature a new format. Instead of timed rounds, which have been in place since 2015, each participant will receive 20 swings in the first round. The top four batters will advance to the semifinals, where they will have 15 swings each to hit as many home runs as possible. The finals will also consist of 15 swings per hitter.
Harper is among the eight contestants slated to participate in the derby. He will be joined by Kyle Schwarber, Ben Rice, Junior Caminero, Jac Caglianone, Willson Contreras, and Jordan Walker. The eighth and final participant has not yet been announced.
As of 2026, Harper has hit 20 home runs with an .870 OPS.