So, pitchers, who happen to be decent with hitting (I know, not many), can’t be allowed to pinch hit, at the major league level? I can see a situation where a game goes into extra innings and teams end up using up all of their reserve players, with the exception of their pitchers. In such a situation, will teams have the option of using pitchers as pinch hitters?
I’ll miss seeing Max Scherzer stepping up to bat.
He always looked so happy and eager to have the opportunity.
Don’t see many games anymore anyway. Baseball. Hard to find anything with traditional American appeal that hasn’t been ruined.
I have never seen the point of the DH.
1.19 HR per Game National League 2021
1.26 HR per Game American League 2021
In the latter innings in the modern era the pitcher is pulled and replaced with someone fresh in both leages. On average it keeps the better fielders with more innings played, with more talent on the field longer helping team ERA against.
It raises the value of above average fielders much more than pitchers. There are at any time less than a dozen DH specialists worth more than utility infielder average money. DH is a useful parking spot for someone on the trade block (or with a nagging injury) for the month going into the trade deadline.
Who will be the national leagues Edgar Martinez, David Ortiz, Frank Thomas? I expect the manangers will use it as the Paul Molitor and Chili Davis position more often than not as there just isnt the number of exceptional hitters who need the game when the legs slow down.
1.19 HR per Game National League 2021
1.26 HR per Game American League 2021
Yes, it’s been that way in the AL too. The thing is, a “good” hitting pitcher is .250; a “good” hitting fielder is .330.