The 2025 Major League Baseball season has been marked by controversy surrounding the baseballs used, with reports confirming increased drag causing balls to fall shorter than in previous years. This subtle but impactful change has triggered debate, especially with Andrew McCutchen, former MLB player, accusing the league of altering the baseballs and clashing publicly with ex-Marlins president David Samson.
According to McCutchen, a private conversation with an MLB official revealed that the baseballs for the 2025 season are different from past years, confirming suspicions among players and fans. When McCutchen asked if MLB would revert to the former baseballs midseason, he was told no. David Samson challenged this claim, dismissing McCutchen’s source as uninformed, provoking a sharp response from McCutchen who backed his statement with evidence.
The Debate Over Changed Baseballs and Official Responses
The 2025 MLB season has seen an acknowledged increase in drag on baseballs, resulting in home runs that would have cleared fences previously now dropping shorter. This phenomenon was quietly confirmed by the league, which stated that the average drag has increased but attributed this to natural variability in handmade baseballs rather than intentional alteration.
Andrew McCutchen made headlines after revealing that an MLB official confirmed to him that the baseballs used this year differ from prior seasons. McCutchen said he pressed the league to correct the issue midseason but was denied.
Ex-Marlins president David Samson, however, expressed skepticism about McCutchen’s source. On his show Nothing Personal with David Samson, he said,
I would like to tell Andrew McCutchen that your source stinks. And I am not one really. I hear from people in baseball quite a bit. They don’t exactly view me as their go-to friend off the court. But I can assure you in this case, whoever Andrew McCutchen is speaking to, that person doesn’t know squat,
challenging the credibility of the information shared by McCutchen.
McCutchen promptly fired back on the social media platform X, defending his source unequivocally:
My source stinks David? What a laughable thing to say when my source is The Commissioner of MLB, and I have 27 witnesses to back that up. So stick to ur lil channel and do this…
This public exchange has reignited widespread debate over the baseball controversy.
Meanwhile, MLB spokesperson Glen Caplin acknowledged the drag increase and its investigation status while denying any immediate changes:
We are aware of an increase in average drag this season and have provided information to the Major League Baseball Players Association on this issue as our experts continue to study any potential causes beyond normal variability in a product made by hand with natural materials,
he told The Athletic.
Statistical Data Shows Minimal Differences Despite Altered Baseball Characteristics
Despite adjustments in the baseball’s seam this year, MLB has argued that key metrics remain largely consistent with the previous season. Through approximately 978 games, or 40% into the season, long fly ball numbers have not significantly deviated from 2024 figures.
The Athletic reported MLB statistics comparing 2024 and 2025 data:
MLB cited three statistics: home runs per ball in play were at 4.2 percent this year, compared to 4.1 percent in 2024; batting average was at .244, compared to .240; and runs per game were at 8.6, compared to 8.7.
These figures suggest that while the drag on baseballs has increased, overall offensive output remains nearly unchanged.
The Yankees Face Struggles Amidst Baseball Changes
The New York Yankees, traditionally known for their power hitting lineup including stars like Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Jazz Chisholm, and Trent Grisham, appear to be among the hardest hit teams by the altered baseball dynamics. With a reduced home run production, their long-ball dominance has been under pressure.
While the Yankees maintained one of the highest home run rates in 2024, averaging 1.12 homers per game, that rate has dipped to 1.09 in 2025. Overall runs per game have declined slightly as well, which has sparked discussions among analysts and fans alike.
Considering McCutchen’s claim about higher-seam balls and the league’s admission of increased drag, the struggles faced by the Yankees might not be coincidental. Teams built on power hitting may need to rethink their strategies moving forward if the baseball continues to favor less carry on fly balls.
The situation remains unsettled while MLB continues its internal assessment. Until the league decides whether to offer clarity or corrections, teams and supporters will remain cautious, closely monitoring the performance trends and awaiting potential adjustments to the season’s equipment.