Bryce Harper Shines At Home During the 2018 MLB Home Run Derby

The chances of hitting a home run are much greater when the player hits the ball at the bat's "sweet spot," which is found between five and seven inches from the barrel end of the bat. The chances of the average person one day hitting a home run in a Major League Baseball park are slim to none. However, there are shaved bats that can help ball players get a little more power from their swing. Juiced baseball bats and juiced softball bats can really send some balls flying, but hitting a home run in a real MLB park -- it's just too difficult for the average player.

The chances of the best MLB players in the world hitting a ton of really far home runs in a Home Run derby? Perhaps a little better. The best players in the world don't even need shaved bats to send balls flying over the fence.

The 2018 MLB Home Run Derby just wrapped up, and it did not disappoint. Though some marquee players like Aaron Judge, J. D. Martinez, Mike Trout, and Giancarlo Stanton did not participate, the excitement certainly was there.

Kyle Scwarber was pumping up the crowd moments before he eliminated Rhys Hoskins, who hit 20 home runs in the semi finals. Scwarber hit 21. Alex Bregman, who stands five-foot 190 pounds, nearly advanced to the later rounds. And baseball's most exciting player, Javier Baez, hit the farthest ball of the day: 479 feet.

But there was one player who stood out more than all the rest Bryce Harper. Harper has had a rough first half of the season, hitting only .214> His Nationals are in third in the NL East after being the early favorites, and there are constant talks about his upcoming free agency. Though all the other derby participants were joking around and having fun, Harper was locked in. The derby was held in his home park -- Nationals Park -- and thousands of number 34 jerseys lined the stadium. He was the clear favorite and, again, did not disappoint.

Harper easily made it to the finals of the derby, beating Freedie Freeman and Max Muncy. But then he had to go up against Kyle Schwarber. That's six-foot 236-pound Kyle Schwarber. The Cub's outfielder hit 18 home runs and Bryce was falling behind. With his dad pitching to him and all his fans behind him, he hit 9 home runs in a span of 10 swings to tie the competition. Then, he crushed the second pitch of bonus time over the fense and celebrated in style. Baseball fans love Bryce Harper, and baseball fans love to hate Bryce Harper. But everyone enjoyed that finale -- how could they not?

"It's unbelievable," Harper said. "We have some of the best fans in baseball, and to be able to do that with my family out there, that's an incredible moment."

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