Report: Bryce Harper Approached by MLB About Joining 2018 Home Run Derby

Major League Baseball reportedly hopes to have Washington Nationals superstar Bryce Harper participate in this year's Home Run Derby during All-Star festivities, according to Jon Heyman of FRS Baseball.

"Sources say MLB has reached out to Harper about participating in the derby, but word is they have yet to put any pressure on him," Heyman reported. "Harper hasn't committed one way or another, and he is said not to have made up his mind."

Harper, 25, has blasted 19 home runs this season, tops in the National League and tied for third in baseball with Oakland's Khris Davis and Cleveland's Jose Ramirez. Only the Angels' Mike Trout (23) and Red Sox's J.D. Martinez (22) have left the yard more times this season.

The Nationals slugger participated in the event in 2013, reaching the finals before losing to Yoenis Cespedes.

According to Heyman, the league office is concerned that "the field may not be as star-studded as usual, with some suggestions heard that Mookie Betts, J.D. Martinez, Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton may not enter." Last year's event was easy to promote as Stanton and Judge—two of the game's most exciting sluggers—squared off.

As Heyman noted, having a superstar like Harper in the derby would be key, giving MLB a player to market around. But many players are reluctant to participate, fearing it might alter their swings down the stretch.

Judge, for one, has already pulled out.

"There is no need to do it," the defending champion told George A. King III of the New York Post, adding, "Pressure [from MLB] won't do anything" to convince him to participate.