Why Dodgers coach Dino Ebel is Bryce Harpers Home Run Derby pitcher

PHILADELPHIA –– Dino Ebel knew Bryce Harper was looking for a Home Run Derby pitcher last week.He just didn’t expect that he’d be the one the Phillies superstar would decide to reach out to.“I saw a tweet out there where they asked him and [he said], ‘If I can get the right guy, I’ll think about getting in it,’” Ebel, the Dodgers’ third base coach, recounted in an interview with The California Post.“And then I think it was the next day where he texted me and just said, ‘Hey, if I decide to do this, are you willing to do it?’”Willing, able and –– after getting the green light from the Dodgers –– happy to oblige.Thus, when Harper steps up to the plate in front of a raucous hometown crowd for Monday night’s Derby at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Ebel will be the one standing directly in front of him, attempting to groove pitches over the plate for the two-time MVP to smash. “It’s an honor for somebody to ask you, especially when you don’t throw to him every day on a daily basis,” Ebel said.

And, you know, it’s in Philly.I think it’s gonna be exciting.

And I’ve always said, if somebody ever wanted me to throw and I can throw, I would always do it.So I’m looking forward to it.

… If I’m in it, I’m trying to win it.”This is a side hustle that Ebel has mastered over his years as a big-league coach.Four times before, he has pitched to other players in previous derbies –– including winning performances with Vladimir Guerrero Sr.

in 2007 and Teoscar Hernández in 2024.Ebel also stepped in during last year’s derby-style “swing-off” at the end of the All-Star Game, helping the National League prevail in an historic tie-breaker format that ended with three home runs from Harper’s Phillies teammate, Kyle Schwarber.“He’s pretty dang good at it,” Harper told reporters of Ebel’s batting-practice pitching.“So, it’ll be fun.”Harper has participated in, and won, a Home Run Derby before, t...