Bryce Harper Says He Will Not Participate in 2015 MLB Home Run Derby

Despite leading the National League in All-Star voting and being tied for second in all of baseball with 25 home runs, Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper won't participate in the 2015 MLB Home Run Derby on July 13.

Harper said Monday that his father, Ron, is recovering from a rotator cuff tear and won't be able to pitch to him, per CSNWashington.com's Mark Zuckerman.

"Not having Dad is a huge issue for me," Harper said, according to Zuckerman.

The Nationals' 22-year-old phenom is the first player ever at his age to have 25 homers, 60 RBI and 61 walks prior to the All-Star break. ESPN Stats & Info supplied further historical context for Harper's breakout 2015 campaign to date:

So it's easy to see why fans at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati will be deflated not to see Harper step into the batter's box. He can crush it as far as anyone in live game situations. One could only imagine how he'd fare on softer tosses, considering the groove he's in this season.

He will still partake in his third All-Star Game, however. There will likely be plenty more chances for Harper to enjoy the Home Run Derby experience with his father. One ought to commend him for waiting and putting family first, regardless of public perception.