Some of the greatest pitchers in the MLB want to mash.
There has been a groundswell of support throughout the league for pitchers to have their very own Home Run Derby and it has gained some steam over the last few weeks.
The idea may not be terrible -- aside from the obvious risk of injury -- as the MLB is always looking to keep things fresh and make changes, like it did when it raised the stakes of the All-Star Game by making it for home-field advantage in the World Series.
Perhaps, the long ball competition could use a face-lift, too.
It's doubtful this movement will lead to any change, but in the interest of entertaining the thought, here are eight pitchers who could round out the field for the 2016 Home Run Derby.
1) Madison Bumgarner
No one is more worthy of this honor than the Giants ace, who wields a deadly bat and is responsible for starting the movement. Bumgarner has a whopping 13 homers in his career and is tied for the MLB lead among pitchers with two long balls on the season thus far.
"I want to do it," Bumgarner told ESPN's Buster Olney prior to a game against the Cardinals earlier this month.
Little did he know it, but the former World Series MVP stared an uprising with his comments.
2) Jake Arrieta
As soon as Bumgarner spoke the words, the Cubs right-hander was quick to hop on board. Arrieta took Shelby Miller deep in his first at-bat of the season, and it wasn't a cheap shot as it was measured at 440 feet. The pitcher has gone yard three times in his career and wants in on the Derby.
"If he's in it, I need to be in it," Arrieta said via ESPN. "That's for sure. He can hit the ball a long way, but I can too."
3) Adam Wainwright
The Cardinals ace couldn't stand idly by while two other elite National League pitchers were making some noise. Wainwright revealed to the world on Twitter that he was all-in on a Home Run Derby for pitchers.
Well, if Madbum and @JArrieta34 want in on this #homerunderby...I might as well throw my name in the hat! #5:00hero #laser-show
— Adam Wainwright (@UncleCharlie50) June 12, 2016
Wainwright hit a second-deck, game-tying homer earlier this season off of Jeremy Hellickson in May, upping his career total to seven.
4) Jose Fernandez
The Marlins ace may not have any homers this year, but he has two in his career -- in 2013 and 2015 (the latter in his season debut) -- and you just can't stifle his enthusiasm by keeping him off this list.
"I want in for sure," Fernandez told The Miami Herald earlier this month. "Oh my God, it would be amazing. We should do our own Home Run Derby. I think it would be very fun for baseball. I think the fans would love to see that."
With Fernandez being that pumped, he absolutely must be included.
5) Yovani Gallardo
We can't forget about the American League, which boasts one pitcher who knows how to swing the lumber. Gallardo is third among active pitchers with 12 homers in his career and given his 6.26 ERA with the Orioles and injury struggles, perhaps a light-hearted contest would be right up his ally.
6) Kenta Maeda
The Dodgers pitcher looked as though he was going to be a major power threat in his debut. Maeda took Padres pitcher Andrew Cashner deep in his first ever MLB game back in April and should get into this contest based on that amazing feat alone.
7) Noah Syndergaard
It hasn't been all roses for Maeda. Thor traded in his hammer in for a bat when the Mets visited the Dodgers in May and there was plenty of magic in it. Syndergaard went Synderyaard and launched two homers off of Maeda, which knotted Thor for the MLB lead among pitchers. The flame-throwing right-hander also went deep in his rookie season last year to give him three for his young career.
8) Bartolo Colon
Sticking with the Mets, you can't have a Derby without Big Sexy. Every time Colon comes up to bat, it's an event. From flying helmets to balls flying out of the yard, you never know what kind of fun Colon has in store. That fun reached its apex during a game against the Padres in May when Colon hit his first career home run -- and followed it up with the longest trip around the bases of all time. At age 42, Colon became the oldest player in MLB history to hit his first career homer. He may only have one, but it'll never be forgotten.
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