"I want balls to go really far." - Former MLB catcher AJ Pierzynski thinks "juiced balls" should be authorized for MLB HR Derby

Over the course of nearly two decades of playing in the MLB, AJ Pierzynski has hit nearly 200 home runs. Although he was not known to be a super slugger, the former catcher has a bold idea about how to make the upcoming MLB Home Run Derby more exciting.

Speaking on a recent episode of his podcast, Foul Territory, Pierzynski previewed the 2024 MLB Home Run Derby, set to take place on Monday in Arlington, Texas. According to Pierzynski, the Home Run Derby has always featured baseballs going suspiciously far. However, the 47-year-old does not see that as a bad thing.

"I want balls to go really far. It brings excitement." @ajpierzynski12 makes the case for juiced balls Monday's Home Run Derby" - Foul Territory

AJ Pierzynski reflected on some of the Derbys from the past, including the 2005 edition. That year, the Home Run Derby saw Bobby Abreu hit a porch in right field at Comerica Park, home of the Detroit Tigers. Judging by the fact that no ball had ever reached that far before, Pierzynski determined that the baseballs must have been doctored.

However, instead of crying foul, AJ Pierzynski welcomed the possibility, claiming that "I want balls to go really far." A two-time All-Star, Pierzynski also recounted his personal experience of Chicago Cubs star Sammy Sosa hitting balls out of Miller Park in Milwaukee in 2002.

"Happy home run derby day, everyone! Here’s Sammy Sosa hitting 500 foot bombs at Miller Park in the 2002 derby" - Ben Porter

A 1994 third-round pick by the Minnesota Twins, AJ Pierzynski spent the first six years of his career in St. Paul, winning an All-Star Award. He would go on to play in over 2000 games between 1998 and 2016, winning a pair of All-Star nods as well as a Silver Slugger in 2012.

AJ Pierzynski thinks Home Run Derby should draw fans towards baseball

After a World Series last fall that drew record-low viewing figures, Pierzynski believes that having a Home Run Derby with balls that are easier to hit will make fans interested. As the former catcher continued on the segment of his show:

"I want fans to say "Man Pete Alonso hit the ball out of Globe Life at the Home Run Derby" People are like "that's really cool" and it gets them talking about baseball"

A novel idea to be sure, make sure to tune into Monday's Home Run Derby to see if MLB heeds Pierzynski's recommendations.