The 2023 MLB Season Thread

[PilotMan]

Pitchers and catchers report in a week. Plus is the WBC this year. Is anyone looking forward to that, or planning to go to a game?

[stevew]

I’ll prob watch a Japan game or two. I want to see how Munetaka Murakami does vs mlb pitching.

Also Roki Sasaki, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto are supposed to be disgusting on the mound.

[sterlingice]

I strongly considered going to the WBC but my wife's birthday is the same week and so she picked what we were doing instead

SI

[stevew]

Thank god they’re banning position players from pitching unless you’re up by 10 or trailing by 8.

[sterlingice]

Unfortunately, the Manfred Man is here to stay
MLB makes extra-innings ghost runner rule permanent for regular-season games, per report - CBSSports.com

SI

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

Unfortunately, the Manfred Man is here to stay

That asshole oughta be ... {wait for it} ... earth-banned.

[GrantDawg]

It's a rule everybody hates, so they keep it to bring us all together.

[Solecismic]

Seems like a lot of fundamental tweaking going on every year - mostly designed to prevent the impact of extra-inning games on ever-expanding pitching staffs.

Why not just award ties after nine innings? With pretty much any half-decent team ending up in the post-season and 162 games, I can't see the problem.

Some of the damage modern commissioners have done could be undone by limiting television breaks between innings and between pitchers. With ratings one-fourth of what they used to be, you'd think they would have learned this lesson by now. Get those games under 2 1/2 hours, whatever it takes.

The biggest problem with the "shift", which is now banned in the pre-season, I guess, was that changes in telecasts (constant close-ups of the same faces eating, chewing, over and over) means we can't see them or discuss them for the most part. Watching a baseball game is like watching the food channel, except the same thing is always on the menu.

Maybe there's nothing left to save. I love the nostalgia of baseball. It was my favorite sport as a kid. So many changes.

[sterlingice]

HAPPY PITCHERS AND CATCHERS REPORTING DAY!

SI

[miami_fan]

I have been going down memory lane with random regular season MLB games on YouTube as background noise. I am watching Dodgers vs Braves from June 28, 1991 right now. Steve Avery starting for the Braves. 34 year old Brett Butler led off for the Dodgers. Butler tried a drag bunt for a called strike one, slapped the next pitch foul down the left field line for strike two, and hit the next pitch up the middle on the shortstop side of second base for a single and his 1500th base hit. From first pitch to Butler rounding first asking the umpire for the ball took exactly one minute. Juan Samuel up next hitting .328. He takes ball one, fouls one off for a strike and swings at a curve ball for strike two and Butler gets thrown out trying to steal for the 13th time in 29 attempts so far that season. Heads would explode if that sequence happened in 2023.

For all the talk about the batters leaving the box all the time as opposed to the good ole days, I have noticed that the pitchers don't really leave the rubber at all much less walk off the mound. The batters are still leaving the box relatively the same amount though not for as long as today. However, most of the pitchers are throwing pitches, jumping back on the rubber, getting the sign and throwing the next pitch. There are not a lot of pitchers shaking off the catchers either.

[molson]

Didn't realize the pitch clock was debuting this year. Apparently they really have improved the flow of minor league games. And bigger bases. Which I guess is encourage more stealing?

I like the idea of the tweaks, hopefully they all lead to a faster, shorter game.

The thing that throws me off the most when I try to watch baseball is the use of relief pitchers. I know why they do it. I know the stats back it up. But the whole feel and structure of a game seems so foreign and arbitrary. Instead of a starter going as long as he can, and then using a setup guy or two to try to get to a closer, it's just a parade of guys I've never heard of, an inning or less at a time, often from the 4th inning on. It's just less digestible as a casual viewer.

[sterlingice]

I'm onboard with Passan's idea of limiting the size of the pitching staff to 10 or 11 (with some additional rules around DL time and options up and down to prevent manipulating your starting staff by putting them on a bus between AAA and MLB)

Mid-inning pitching changes are the worst and I get a ton of glee whenever one blows up in a manager's face

SI

[cuervo72]

Yeah, I think staff size is the one to really make a difference. I imagine that's a no-go with the union (though if it is compensated with bench players...though who needs bench players when you're playing softball??).

[Lathum]

Degrom hurt already.

[stevew]

Pitch clock is great for live baseball. People might bitch about it for a month or two but it’ll be the Tepera and Bleier type guys bitching.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by stevew

Pitch clock is great for live baseball. People might bitch about it for a month or two but it’ll be the Tepera and Bleier type guys bitching.

Just another meh for a game I've already sadly grown meh about.

One of the specific beauties of baseball has always been the absence of it being clock-driven. Like other sports who change their fabric in order to chase non-fans who won't actually care anyway, I hope it bites them in the ass with considerable pain & suffering involved.

[Ksyrup]

Pace of play in things the LL baseball world series and college softball are refreshing and help to move the game along and keep interest on a pitch-by-pitch basis. If a pitch clock is needed to move MLB in the same direction, then fine. I'm pretty sure in the "good ol' days" you didn't have the constant 30-45 seconds (or more) delays between pitches. Even accounting for the between inning commercial breaks, games decades ago moved at a brisk pace. That needs to come back.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

Pace of play in things the LL baseball world series and college softball are refreshing and help to move the game along and keep interest on a pitch-by-pitch basis. If a pitch clock is needed to move MLB in the same direction, then fine. I'm pretty sure in the "good ol' days" you didn't have the constant 30-45 seconds (or more) delays between pitches. Even accounting for the between inning commercial breaks, games decades ago moved at a brisk pace. That needs to come back.

Higher scoring accounts for some of the changes (vs '73 and '83 that I looked at) but the biggest statistical change that jumps out in the 27 min and 37 min increases is the average number of pitchers per game 4.3 vs 2.6 vs 2.3

If you want to do something to adjust the time, stop the absurd coddling of pitchers. (also, TV commercial time going from 33:13 in '84 to 42:36 by 2014 accounts for the single biggest chunk of the increase)

[Ghost Econ]

Based on back of the napkin math using 2022 numbers, the pitch clock would theoretically shave ~5 seconds off between pitches. Over an average game, that works out to about 18:45 in game reduction (only between pitches in the same at bat).

So basically, if all the time clock changes work, games should average between 2:45 and 2:50.

[sterlingice]

I love baseball - I don't think I have to explain that one. And I'm a bit of a purist in that I feel the Manfred Man is an abomination, like having a shootout in soccer or hockey. Similarly, I hate extraneous pitching changes (as noted above, I love when they blow up). And I love the timelessness of baseball. But I also like watching baseball. I hate watching every. single. batter. futz with their batting gloves for 30 seconds before each pitch and I hate every pitching screwing around for 30 seconds between each pitch on the mound. I'm here to watch baseball, not preening. This seems to get us closer to that without significantly impacting the sport so I'm willing to try it out.

Also, robot umps when? That's one piece of technology that I'm long past ready to implement.

SI

[molson]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

Also, robot umps when? That's one piece of technology that I'm long past ready to implement.

SI

I'm not sure the technology is there yet. (Or, there's a disconnect between what we perceive and believe a strike should be v. what it is in reality). There's some great Youtube compilations of minor league batters arguing with the umpire over bad balls and strikes calls when the umpire did nothing more than relay what the robot said.

[Ksyrup]

Another pace of play thing to watch for is an emphasis on balks. Umps have been told to cut down on the excessive rocking back and forth and toe tap-tap-tap crap that pitchers due before coming to a stop. I guess that's going to be a balk now if it's considered an attempt to evade the pitch clock? I guess we'll see how it plays out

[Lathum]

Good luck Kenly Jansen

[BYU 14]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

Another pace of play thing to watch for is an emphasis on balks. Umps have been told to cut down on the excessive rocking back and forth and toe tap-tap-tap crap that pitchers due before coming to a stop. I guess that's going to be a balk now if it's considered an attempt to evade the pitch clock? I guess we'll see how it plays out

Can we apply this to Craig Kimbrel's vulture wing too? (I don't know why, it always just annoyed me)

[stevew]

Originally Posted by BYU 14

Can we apply this to Craig Kimbrel's vulture wing too? (I don't know why, it always just annoyed me)

Yeah fr that is hella annoying

[stevew]

Royals have some good young bats and a few decent arms. Seems like a likely win on their team win total bet(68.5). Witt/Melendez/Perez should all challenge 30-35 homers, Pasquitino looks like a solid 20-25 homer guy at first base as well.

[BYU 14]

Originally Posted by stevew

Royals have some good young bats and a few decent arms. Seems like a likely win on their team win total bet(68.5). Witt/Melendez/Perez should all challenge 30-35 homers, Pasquitino looks like a solid 20-25 homer guy at first base as well.

I live 10 minutes from their spring training facility, so I will catch at least a couple of games this spring, anxious to see the new look Rangers too, who share the facility with them.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by molson

I'm not sure the technology is there yet. (Or, there's a disconnect between what we perceive and believe a strike should be v. what it is in reality). There's some great Youtube compilations of minor league batters arguing with the umpire over bad balls and strikes calls when the umpire did nothing more than relay what the robot said.

Some MLB people have said they are looking to modify the definition of a strike. Letter high heat is so hard to catch up to unless you're sitting on it and I do at least agree with the idea more balls in play is a good thing for the sport Changes forthcoming as MLB takes logical step towards automated strike zones

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by BishopMVP

Some MLB people have said they are looking to modify the definition of a strike. Letter high heat is so hard to catch up to unless you're sitting on it and I do at least agree with the idea more balls in play is a good thing for the sport Changes forthcoming as MLB takes logical step towards automated strike zones

Maybe they could just put the ball on a tee.

[BYU 14]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Maybe they could just put the ball on a tee.

Joey Gallo would still strike out twice a game.

[Lathum]

Fucking love Machado at 11-1 to win NL MVP. He wants that payday and there is so much talent around him.

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by stevew

Royals have some good young bats and a few decent arms. Seems like a likely win on their team win total bet(68.5). Witt/Melendez/Perez should all challenge 30-35 homers, Pasquitino looks like a solid 20-25 homer guy at first base as well.

I hope you're right. I don't think Witt has that kind of power. Also, this is going to be a bit of a soft reset with a new manager and pseudo-new front office. They've jettisoned most of the older "talent" to give youngsters more playing time. It could work, it might not. I see a really low floor on this team as lots could fall apart. But it has a decent-ish ceiling if somehow all the young hitters and pitchers somehow came around (they won't - that's baseball, but at least it's possible)

SI

[stevew]

Witt hit 33 in the minors in 2021. He seems like a safe bet for multiple 30/30 seasons. I think Melendez hit 41 in the minors in 2022. Perez is still young-ish. They need more pieces but they have 3-4 potentially good hitters and that’s a lot these days.

[stevew]

Pasquitino looks like a batting champ type guy with decent power. Huge to put up an equal K/BB rate these days.

[sterlingice]

Believe me, if you let me pencil in 30 HR each for Melendez, Witt, and Perez along with 20 and .320 for Vinnie, I would take it and not look back.

SI

[stevew]

How is Salvador Perez only in his age 33 season? Feels like that guy has been playing since 2005.

[sterlingice]

And he's caught every game, including both games of every doubleheader

SI

[Ksyrup]

I've been to some spring training games that barely got to 1:45 and played out like 2 teams on a travel day trying to finish a 6 hour rain delay game, but hopefully this keeps up into the regular season.

Time of game for Padres-Mariners: 2 hours, 29 minutes.

Time of game for Rangers-Royals: 2 hours, 33 minutes.

This is spring training and a minuscule sample. But it's hard to understate how drastically the pitch clock is going to change baseball.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 24, 2023

[Ksyrup]

Watching a bit of the Red Sox/Braves game on MLBTV right now, and the pace difference is noticeable. They showed the clock for a few pitches but not all the time. It looks like you're watching sped up video of a game.

[Lathum]

I’m noticing in the Mets game also. I don’t believe they have shown the clock once but the games been on an hour and 8 minutes and it’s going to the bottom of the fifth.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

Watching a bit of the Red Sox/Braves game on MLBTV right now, and the pace difference is noticeable. They showed the clock for a few pitches but not all the time. It looks like you're watching sped up video of a game.

And that game ends in controversy.

Bottom of the ninth. Tie game. Bases loaded. Full count. The dream scenario. And ... Cal Conley didn't get set in the batter's box with 8 seconds left on the pitch clock.

Umpire calls an automatic strike. At-bat over. Inning over. This is the new reality. pic.twitter.com/Bv5k2xJ06j

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 25, 2023

[GrantDawg]

The batter there was going off the catcher. The catcher was still standing, and the batter didn't want to get into his stance until the catcher was in position. The problem is the pitcher was set, and that is when the 8 second clock starts. Snit said they had went over the pitcher getting set, but hadn't really discussed the fact the catcher does not have to be set. Basically, the batter got faked.

[Ksyrup]

That seems like an issue or potential loophole they need to deal with.

[Lathum]

I'm watching Major League. Great movie, arguably the best sports movie of all time. The scene where wild thing throws his first pitch at spring training and they ask the guy with the radar gun and he says 96 and they are all like, oohhhhh. Kind of funny where we are today with relievers and some starters.

[miami_fan]

Note to MLB. Pay off their contracts, give them whatever pension they have coming, do whatever it takes financially. But please get C.B. Bucknor, Angel Hernandez and Joe West away from MLB ballparks.

[Ksyrup]

Didn't Joe West retire?

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

Didn't Joe West retire?

Yeah, last season afaik.

[JonInMiddleGA]

To add to the "fun", Bucknor & Hernandez were both on the crew of yesterday's game that prompted this latest controversy.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

Didn't Joe West retire?

I am not sure but just in case I added him with the other incompetents.

[Sweed]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

The batter there was going off the catcher. The catcher was still standing, and the batter didn't want to get into his stance until the catcher was in position. The problem is the pitcher was set, and that is when the 8 second clock starts. Snit said they had went over the pitcher getting set, but hadn't really discussed the fact the catcher does not have to be set. Basically, the batter got faked.

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

That seems like an issue or potential loophole they need to deal with.

Without seeing the batter and C in the video I can only speculate on whether this was an intentional move to fake the batter or just old normal C movement like one would see any year. In any case I don't see it making a difference. This is something ST experience and coaching will fix before the season starts. The C can try this if he wants, but it's up to the batter to ignore it, and just look at the P.

It won't matter how long the C stands, the P still has to make the pitch by the clock. Could end up being more of a distraction to the P?