Jun 11, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates designated hitter Andrew McCutchen (22) rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Miami Marlins during the fifth inning at PNC Park. The home run was his 241st and putting him ahead of Roberto Clemente on the Pirates all-time home run list with 241. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-Imagn Images Philip G. Pavely-Imagn Images

Former Yankees Outfielder Exposes MLB

Originally posted on New York Yankees on SI
By Noah Strackbein | Last updated Jun 17, 2025 9:00 AM ET

The New York Yankees are in the midst of a losing streak they cannot wait to get out of. But the MLB world is talking about something different, and it was started by a former Yankees outfielder.

Andrew McCutchen decided to expose the MLB for a change no one knew was happening. The former Yankees outfielder and current Pittsburgh Pirates star let everyone know on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the baseballs the league uses are different this season compared to years past.

"I was told by a rep for MLB that the balls are indeed different this year," McCutchen wrote. "They stated 'higher seams' which produces more drag on baseball, causing baseballs to not travel as far as they should. When asked why, I was told 'every baseball is hand sewn so no ball is the same.'

"When I asked if there is something that can be done about correcting the current performance of this years baseball, I was told there was 'nothing' that can be done about it this season BUT, they are 'working hard on getting to the bottom of why the seams are higher.' So, yea you’re not wrong Ben."

I was told by a rep for MLB that the balls are indeed different this year. They stated “higher seams” which produces more drag on baseball, causing baseballs to not travel as far as they should. When asked why, I was told “every baseball is hand sewn so no ball is the same.” When… https://t.co/StaUR45PFv
— Andrew McCutchen (@TheCUTCH22) June 14, 2025

McCutchen has hit over 2,000 balls in his career, so if anyone was going to notice a difference, it was going to be him.

It's unknown if the MLB knew this change was going to happen or if the league was just as surprised as the players. But with names like McCutchen, Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and many others becoming dominant at the plate over time, maybe the league is trying to combat those who are taking over games with their batting skills.

Scoring is down this season, but just slightly, dropping from 4.39 runs to 4.32. Home runs are also going backwards going from 1.12 to 1.09, according toBaseball-Reference.

Make sure to bookmark Yankees On SI to get all your daily New York Yankees news, interviews, breakdowns and more!