2021 Misc. MLB News

[djoctagone]

I love Tim but listening to him for 3 hours every game would get old pretty fast. He'd be best replacing Augie for the pre and post game shows and doing some bit pieces with players here and there.

it's my understanding that another former brewer will be replacing jerry augustine for that regional sports network. he was a nashville sounds teammate of dillard's, and likely were on the same brewers roster from time to time.

[jerichoholicninja]

I love Tim but listening to him for 3 hours every game would get old pretty fast. He'd be best replacing Augie for the pre and post game shows and doing some bit pieces with players here and there.

it's my understanding that another former brewer will be replacing jerry augustine for that regional sports network. he was a nashville sounds teammate of dillard's, and likely were on the same brewers roster from time to time.

 

Tim as Harry Caray?

[djoctagone]

I love Tim but listening to him for 3 hours every game would get old pretty fast. He'd be best replacing Augie for the pre and post game shows and doing some bit pieces with players here and there.

it's my understanding that another former brewer will be replacing jerry augustine for that regional sports network. he was a nashville sounds teammate of dillard's, and likely were on the same brewers roster from time to time.

Tim as Harry Caray?

nope.

[AKCheesehead]

I love Tim but listening to him for 3 hours every game would get old pretty fast. He'd be best replacing Augie for the pre and post game shows and doing some bit pieces with players here and there.

it's my understanding that another former brewer will be replacing jerry augustine for that regional sports network. he was a nashville sounds teammate of dillard's, and likely were on the same brewers roster from time to time.

 

My guesses for the riddle are Ax, Lo, or Narvdogg.

[Patrick425]

People thought Bud Selig was a bad commissioner. Rob Manfred is unbearable. My son and I were at a game a few years ago and after multiple pick-off attempts by the visiting pitcher and fans booing (never understood the boos for that), some simpletons in front of us said they should limit the number of pick-off attempts you can make. We both just rolled our eyes but did not bother trying to explain to them all the issues that would raise and why that is a horrible idea. Well, guess what, this Bozo of a commission is actually testing this out in the minors!! What? Also wants to ban the shift. He constantly talks about wanting to shorten the game, but then proposes these idiotic, dumbed down rules that will do nothing but lengthen the time it takes to play a game.

 

https://twitter.com/MLB_PR/status/1370122064921829380/photo/1

[owbc]

People thought Bud Selig was a bad commissioner. Rob Manfred is unbearable. My son and I were at a game a few years ago and after multiple pick-off attempts by the visiting pitcher and fans booing (never understood the boos for that), some simpletons in front of us said they should limit the number of pick-off attempts you can make. We both just rolled our eyes but did not bother trying to explain to them all the issues that would raise and why that is a horrible idea. Well, guess what, this Bozo of a commission is actually testing this out in the minors!! What? Also wants to ban the shift. He constantly talks about wanting to shorten the game, but then proposes these idiotic, dumbed down rules that will do nothing but lengthen the time it takes to play a game.

 

https://twitter.com/MLB_PR/status/1370122064921829380/photo/1

 

I love all these rules. Every single one is targeted at reducing 3TO baseball. A+

[RollieTime]

Looking forward to the rule in a couple years where the batter can’t step out of the box after a swinging strike on a 1-0 pitch, but can after a 0-1 pitch only if the pitch speed was in excess of 90 MPH AND if the catcher caught the ball over the plate, but only if the pitcher takes two steps towards the plate because one step isn’t far enough from the mound where the gain of game length is unbearable and unnecessary.

[RightFieldCoder]

I love all these rules. Every single one is targeted at reducing 3TO baseball. A+

I see it as rewarding 3TO baseball. The 3TO mentality is to swing hard and in the same style on every pitch. That leads to very predictable locations where you hit the ball. That is why there is so much defensive positioning. If a batter changes their swing based on count/situation then defenses wouldn't do such a dramatic shift. And with the increased ease of stealing a base the value of the BB just went up.

[jerichoholicninja]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/03/mlb-to-experiment-with-rule-changes-in-minor-leagues.html

 

- Triple-A baseball will see the size of the bases increased from 15 inches square to 18 inches square, a deceptively minor change that could end up having a notable impact on a game. As the league’s statement reads, “the Competition Committee also expects the shorter distances between bases created by increased size to have a modest impact on the success rate of stolen base attempts and the frequency with which a batter-runner reaches base on groundballs and bunt attempts.” In addition, larger bases will also reduce the chances of collisions on the basepaths.

 

I have no problem with this but doubt it will make one bit of difference in SB's or SB percentage. I do like it for the safety reasons but, once again, I doubt 1.5 inches on either side is going to make any difference in preventing collisions. The double base at 1B would help that.

 

- Double-A baseball will experiment with a new rule that addresses defensive shifts, since going forward, “the defensive team must have a minimum of four players on the infield, each of whom must have both feet completely in front of the outer boundary of the infield dirt.” While shifting has been part of baseball for decades, teams have been using shifts more often and in a more elaborate fashion over the last few seasons, to the point that seeing a club deploy four or even five players in outfield for a particular batter isn’t out of the ordinary.

 

Dumb. Just stop trying to get rid of the shift.

 

- Step-off and pickoff moves are the primary focus of the Single-A rules changes, as in High-A ball, “pitchers are required to disengage the rubber prior to throwing to any base, with the penalty of a balk in the event the pitcher fails to comply.” This was one of the rules instituted in the Atlantic League in 2019, as noted in MLB’s statement, and the altered rule “resulted in a significant increase in stolen base attempts and an improved success rate.”

 

So basically there is zero advantage to being a lefty pitcher anymore. I guess they want more stolen bases but this is likely to have little effect. If guys aren't running off of RHP they're not going to against LHP either.

 

- The step-off/pickoff rules will be even more significantly changed for all Low-A leagues. If there is one or more runner on base, pitchers can only throw a maximum of two pickoffs or make two step-offs per plate appearance. The pitcher can attempt a third pickoff or step-off but the play must result in the baserunner being retired. If the runner gets back to his original base on this third pitcher try, the play is called a balk and the runner advances anyway. MLB’s statement said that the limitation could be further lowered to just a single step-off or pickoff attempt per plate appearance, seeing how the initial rule plays out.

 

Why? More stolen bases? Speed up the game? Neither of those is going to happen because of this.

 

- The Low-A West league will adopt on-field timers “to enforce time limits between delivery of pitches, inning breaks and pitching changes.” An even more interesting electronic element will be part of the Low-A Southeast league, as the Automatic Ball-Strike System will be used “to assist home plate umpires with calling balls and strikes, ensure a consistent strike zone is called, and determine the optimal strike zone for the system.”

 

Good for both.

 

Overall, though, what is the point of all this? The best take I saw somewhere else: none of this will bring new fans to the game but it's certain to push some current fans away.

[owbc]

I love all these rules. Every single one is targeted at reducing 3TO baseball. A+

I see it as rewarding 3TO baseball. The 3TO mentality is to swing hard and in the same style on every pitch. That leads to very predictable locations where you hit the ball. That is why there is so much defensive positioning. If a batter changes their swing based on count/situation then defenses wouldn't do such a dramatic shift. And with the increased ease of stealing a base the value of the BB just went up.

 

Is that true? I’ve never seen an article showing that spray charts have grown more predictable. I thought it was a result of analytics.

[Sixtofan]

Isn’t it the analytics that allows you to predict from the spray charts? Therefore the way to “break the pattern” is to change your approach at the plate? Maybe I am misunderstanding something.

[Patrick425]

 

- The step-off/pickoff rules will be even more significantly changed for all Low-A leagues. If there is one or more runner on base, pitchers can only throw a maximum of two pickoffs or make two step-offs per plate appearance. The pitcher can attempt a third pickoff or step-off but the play must result in the baserunner being retired. If the runner gets back to his original base on this third pitcher try, the play is called a balk and the runner advances anyway. MLB’s statement said that the limitation could be further lowered to just a single step-off or pickoff attempt per plate appearance, seeing how the initial rule plays out.

 

Why? More stolen bases? Speed up the game? Neither of those is going to happen because of this.

 

This is probably the one I loath the most. Not sure I agree with you in regards to not increasing stolen bases. Pitchers will be less comfortable about attempting pick-offs, especially after the first or second attempt, so runners will get bigger leads, leading to more stolen bases. "Fans" who don't have patience for pick-off moves need to get over it. Keeping runners close is a part of the game. Artificially increasing stolen bases, balks, and offense in general through rule changes is not.

 

The shift ban is also something I really hate. The shift is not new. How about combating the shift by changing your approach at the plate (ah...maybe try to be a little less of a 3TO hitter). That would organically reduce the occurrences of the shift without having to change the basic rules of baseball.

 

About the only change I can get behind is the automated strike zone. Only because MLB refuses to hold some of the consistently horrible umpires accountable. Instead, they reward them with post-season assignments.

[homer]

Isn’t it the analytics that allows you to predict from the spray charts? Therefore the way to “break the pattern” is to change your approach at the plate? Maybe I am misunderstanding something.

 

That's how I see it. It's like in the NFL when the west coast offense took over then the defense had to adjust and voila you've got Tampa 2. Maybe spray hitters will be the next undervalued thing?

[sveumrules]

Isn’t it the analytics that allows you to predict from the spray charts? Therefore the way to “break the pattern” is to change your approach at the plate? Maybe I am misunderstanding something.

 

That's how I see it. It's like in the NFL when the west coast offense took over then the defense had to adjust and voila you've got Tampa 2. Maybe spray hitters will be the next undervalued thing?

 

FanGraphs has league wide batted ball splits going back to 2002, here they are with pitchers excluded...

 

https://rb.gy/veni6f

 

For all the talk of a fly ball revolution, FB% was at 35.6 in 2002, peaked at 38.2 in 2007 & was back at 35.7 in 2020.

 

The difference is that HR/FB% was down at 10.8 in 2002, bottomed out at 9.5 in 2010 & was at 15.4/14.8 in 2019/2020.

 

As far as hit direction, there does appear to be some evolution on the macro level with a pull/center/oppo split of 43.2/28.9/27.9 in 2002 versus 41.0/34.6/24.4 in 2020.

[owbc]

Isn’t it the analytics that allows you to predict from the spray charts? Therefore the way to “break the pattern” is to change your approach at the plate? Maybe I am misunderstanding something.

 

That's how I see it. It's like in the NFL when the west coast offense took over then the defense had to adjust and voila you've got Tampa 2. Maybe spray hitters will be the next undervalued thing?

 

MLB hitters have been extremely successful at changing their approach at the plate. They are doing exactly what they should given the way the game is currently played.

 

It is remarkable that runs scored per game has remained nearly constant despite the incredible improvement in pitching velocity and movement, bullpen use, specialists, etc. The only reason that has happened is because hitters HAVE adapted.

 

When the defense shifts, they WANT you to bunt or hit for contact the other way. They are GIVING YOU a single. But they know you won't try to hit a single because analytics says that trying for a double or HR is more valuable.

 

Hence why the rules need significant adjustment.

[wntrtxn21]

Isn’t it the analytics that allows you to predict from the spray charts? Therefore the way to “break the pattern” is to change your approach at the plate? Maybe I am misunderstanding something.

 

That's how I see it. It's like in the NFL when the west coast offense took over then the defense had to adjust and voila you've got Tampa 2. Maybe spray hitters will be the next undervalued thing?

 

MLB hitters have been extremely successful at changing their approach at the plate. They are doing exactly what they should given the way the game is currently played.

 

It is remarkable that runs scored per game has remained nearly constant despite the incredible improvement in pitching velocity and movement, bullpen use, specialists, etc. The only reason that has happened is because hitters HAVE adapted.

 

When the defense shifts, they WANT you to bunt or hit for contact the other way. They are GIVING YOU a single. But they know you won't try to hit a single because analytics says that trying for a double or HR is more valuable.

 

Hence why the rules need significant adjustment.

 

What you are not stating is how much the NFL changed the rules to favor the offense. They wanted more offense in the game. Kind of like MLB is now trying to do.

[Patrick425]

When the defense shifts, they WANT you to bunt or hit for contact the other way. They are GIVING YOU a single. But they know you won't try to hit a single because analytics says that trying for a double or HR is more valuable.

 

Hence why the rules need significant adjustment.

 

So, if hitters are not going to adjust whether there is a shift of not, then what's the need for a significant rule change? Manfred clearly believes that the shift dampens offense and we can't have that. Gotta please the casual fan who, for some reason, equates more offense to being more enjoyable game to watch. Oh...and we also need to shorten the game at the same time. Does not make any sense.

[DuWayne Steurer]

I've said this a gajillion times before, but instead of limiting pickoff moves, limit the amount of times Ryan Braun and guys like him can step out, adjust his gloves, cup, sleeves, helmet, and every piece of equipment (like.... after every pitch, even if they don't swing), for 37 seconds. That is way more of a time waster than a guy throwing a handful of pickoff throws. That would be a way to shorten game time without actually changing the way the game is played in any fundamental way.

 

One might make the argument that batters spend 45 seconds adjusting their junk so they can get signs from the 3B coach, but in this day of 3TO, nobody bunting, and everybody being a pull hitter, the signs are mostly "swing really hard, yo!"

[Axman59]

Over the winter I've been watching games from the 60's, 70's, and 80's on YouTube. Based on my observations a major reason why games were shorter then was because batters were nearly always ready to go in the batter's box and if the ball was not put in play the pitcher just backed up until he was on the rubber, took the throw from the catcher, and was immediately staring down for the sign to throw the next pitch. Very little backing out of the batter's box by the hitter and very little walking around the mound by the pitcher.

 

In Spring Training they should show a couple of innings of one of those games to every team and tell them that is the way the game is expected to be played.

[JosephC]

Why doesn't MLB enforce the rules they have now instead of making up some dumb new ones? Really sick of constantly seeing video of pitchers using foreign substances on the mound. Even more sick of seeing that Angel's employee getting fired while the guys who are cheating just continue to do so without any consequences. The time has come MLB, either have umpires crack down on this OR change the rules to allow pitchers to use pine tar and other blends of grip-enhancers.

 

They likely have a very large percentage of pitchers cheating and all they care about is if some infielder is standing 100 feet away from the plate or 130 feet away from the plate when a pitch is made. Dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb.

 

If I was in MLB's front office, I'd be completely embarrassed by this video-

[DuWayne Steurer]

everybody knows that pitchers put a little bit of grip on the ball and they don't care. Most batters have even said they'd rather have the pitcher have a grip on the ball than be throwing wildly up there and hitting dudes in the head.

 

That being said, our boy Mike should have been a lot more discreet about how he was doing it.

[areacodes]

Why doesn't MLB enforce the rules they have now instead of making up some dumb new ones? Really sick of constantly seeing video of pitchers using foreign substances on the mound. Even more sick of seeing that Angel's employee getting fired while the guys who are cheating just continue to do so without any consequences. The time has come MLB, either have umpires crack down on this OR change the rules to allow pitchers to use pine tar and other blends of grip-enhancers.

 

They likely have a very large percentage of pitchers cheating and all they care about is if some infielder is standing 100 feet away from the plate or 130 feet away from the plate when a pitch is made. Dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb.

 

If I was in MLB's front office, I'd be completely embarrassed by this video-

 

Pitchers have been doctoring baseballs as long as there have been pitchers - it isn’t a new or modern day thing.

 

Regarding putting some rules in for the shift, I don’t find placing some rules on it as the game evolves being that big of a deal. If putting a rule in place so an infielder isn’t playing at the depth of a rover in slow-pitch softball - that is fine by me. To me, that rule would be similar to formation/shift rules in football.

 

I think putting a limit on pickoff attempts is by far the dumbest proposal.

[wntrtxn21]

Why doesn't MLB enforce the rules they have now instead of making up some dumb new ones? Really sick of constantly seeing video of pitchers using foreign substances on the mound. Even more sick of seeing that Angel's employee getting fired while the guys who are cheating just continue to do so without any consequences. The time has come MLB, either have umpires crack down on this OR change the rules to allow pitchers to use pine tar and other blends of grip-enhancers.

 

They likely have a very large percentage of pitchers cheating and all they care about is if some infielder is standing 100 feet away from the plate or 130 feet away from the plate when a pitch is made. Dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb.

 

If I was in MLB's front office, I'd be completely embarrassed by this video-

 

Pitchers have been doctoring baseballs as long as there have been pitchers - it isn’t a new or modern day thing.

 

Regarding putting some rules in for the shift, I don’t find placing some rules on it as the game evolves being that big of a deal. If putting a rule in place so an infielder isn’t playing at the depth of a rover in slow-pitch softball - that is fine by me. To me, that rule would be similar to formation/shift rules in football.

 

I think putting a limit on pickoff attempts is by far the dumbest proposal.

 

I like the proposed infielder on the dirt rule. Teams could still do a short RF if they took their LF and put him in that position. However then if a LH batter hit it to left field, it would be at least a double and quite possibly more. It would easily drive in any runners on base. Teams could still use the "shift", but the risk/reward just go a lot more risky.

[owbc]

When the defense shifts, they WANT you to bunt or hit for contact the other way. They are GIVING YOU a single. But they know you won't try to hit a single because analytics says that trying for a double or HR is more valuable.

 

Hence why the rules need significant adjustment.

 

So, if hitters are not going to adjust whether there is a shift of not, then what's the need for a significant rule change? Manfred clearly believes that the shift dampens offense and we can't have that. Gotta please the casual fan who, for some reason, equates more offense to being more enjoyable game to watch. Oh...and we also need to shorten the game at the same time. Does not make any sense.

 

I think there is pretty good agreement among fans about what constitutes aesthetically pleasing and entertaining baseball. There are different pathways to achieve that, but generally more balls in play, less strikeouts, movement on the bases, and faster pace are all appealing to the vast majority of fans. MLB has essentially acknowledged that there are too many home runs and that the more lively baseball was a mistake.

 

There are a whole bunch of different pathways to achieving that, but I think the first thing that we have to do as fans is acknowledge that the game has strayed away from the ideal and it's totally fine to change the rules to improve it. Many MLB rules (or lack of rules) are from a different era, and when teams figure out how to exploit the game to their advantage (a combo of power pitching + shifts in this case), something has to be done to clean it up.

 

The 'no shifting' rule is so simple...infielders must have feet on the dirt when the ball is thrown. That's why I like it. I don't know how else to solve the shifting problem in such a simple way. But I know it can not be solved by bunting...you can't successfully bunt enough 90+ mph breaking pitches with movement to make the math work out vs. trying to hit doubles/HRs. However, incentivizing hitting singles goes a long way toward helping--and increasing stolen bases will make hitting singles (including bunt singles) more attractive if you can turn more of them into doubles with a SB.

[Warning Track Power]

The 'no shifting' rule is so simple...infielders must have feet on the dirt when the ball is thrown. That's why I like it. I don't know how else to solve the shifting problem in such a simple way. But I know it can not be solved by bunting...you can't successfully bunt enough 90+ mph breaking pitches with movement to make the math work out vs. trying to hit doubles/HRs. However, incentivizing hitting singles goes a long way toward helping--and increasing stolen bases will make hitting singles (including bunt singles) more attractive if you can turn more of them into doubles with a SB.

I am on board with banning the shift and requiring all IF to remain on the dirt. Unfortunately, the launch angle revolution and birth of 3TO baseball is a result of the shift and ballplayers' inability/laziness/unsexiness (call it what you want) of not wanting to learn to hit the other way or punch the ball through holes. By requiring all IF must remain on the IF or the IF grass prior to a pitch AND there must be two players on both sides of second base, I believe it accomplishes what MLB wants and that is the elimination of 3TO baseball.

 

Do I love this solution? No. It upsets me that people in the game can't go the other way or have learned to accept a K rather than hit it where the opposing fielders are not. I truly believe this is laziness on the players' part and not wanting to look like a punch and Judy hitter.

 

As a first-step solution to 3TO baseball though, I will accept it.