We see it a handful of times every year. At the end of a blowout or a long extra inning game, one or both teams resorts to having a position player take the mound. In the blowouts, it's to save the bullpen from having to throw too many innings. In the long games, it's because they're out of pitchers and don't want to burn a starter.
You can usually see it coming. When it's 10-1 in the third inning and the team that's losing is already on its third reliever, there's a good chance you'll see the backup shortstop on the mound in the eighth or ninth. Likewise, the longer the extra-inning game goes, the likelihood of a position player pitching increases.
I'll admit, watching the end of these crazy-long games, especially in the National League is a guilty pleasure. You see some weird stuff in the box score. And you're secretly kinda rooting for it to go long enough that they have to pinch hit for their last available pitcher with their last bench guy, only to have to figure out who's gonna pitch if the game continues.
Most position players absolutely love it! And the one that's asked to do it is generally someone who has some pitching experience, whether it be in high school, college or the Minors, so they aren't complete novices. In fact, a lot of them want to get the opportunity to pitch in a Major League game at some point in their career. Ichiro always said it was something he hoped he'd get to do before he retired (which he did in 2015 with the Marlins), and Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo had been begging manager Joe Maddon to let him pitch before he finally did.
It's generally met with a fair amount of chuckles, too. Especially when it's somebody like Rizzo, who's far better known for (and far more valuable with) his bat, the fans get a kick out of it. There's usually a good amount of laughing from the dugout, too...until Jose Reyes gives up six runs and he no longer finds it funny (although, it was a nice moment of levity in that absurd 25-4 game when Ryan Zimmerman made like he was going to charge the mound when Reyes hit him with a pitch).
In fact, what once was a novelty has since become a full-blown trend. Like analytics and defensive shifts, position players pitching is now a regular occurrence. There have been more than 50 appearances by more than 40 players already this season, both shattering the previous record. That doesn't even include Shohei Ohtani, who doesn't count for the purposes of this discussion. Since the All*Star Break, it's happened seemingly every other day. It's developed into a part of in-game strategy for more and more managers.
On the surface, it kinda makes sense. Even with most teams carrying 12 or 13 pitchers, managers are turning to position players for mop-up duty more often. Joe Maddon is the biggest proponent, and he doesn't just use his utility infielder or backup catcher to pitch. In addition to Rizzo, he's asked Ian Happ, Tommy LaStella and two different backup catchers to pitch this year. Across town, White Sox third baseman/DH Matt Davidson has pitched three times this season.
But is this a good thing? Consider the health concerns. Pitching is not a natural motion. That's why starters need four days off and relievers can't pitch too many days in a row. And that's their job. For guys who aren't used to pitching, the strain on their arm is much more. In 1993, Jose Canseco was lost for the season when he hurt his elbow while pitching. With your best players, is it really worth that risk?
Then there's the sheer fact that teams carry so many pitchers to begin with. How can you possibly run out? And, if you're limited to only three or four bench guys, do you really want to waste one as a pitcher? In the American League, that's less of a problem, although how many times have we seen AL teams have to drop their DH just to have a position player pitch (or that stupid crap the Rays do where they put the pitcher at another position for a batter then move back to pitching, which also requires dropping the DH)? But in an NL game, when you've gotta pinch hit for relievers once every nine batters, you're gonna run out pretty quick. Yes, there are double switches and everything, but putting a position player on the mound should be a last resort, not a plan.
Of course, the biggest reason why we're seeing so many non-pitchers asked to pitch nowadays is because starters are being taken out earlier and earlier. If you go to the bullpen in the sixth inning every night, that can take quite a toll on your relievers. And, even though some teams carry as many as eight relief pitchers, asking them to get 12 outs every game is definitely a lot. So, when your bullpen arms need a rest and you're getting shelled, it's the backup shortstop to the rescue!
And this trend is likely only going to continue unless the MLBPA does something about it. The players might not have an issue with this. But if they do, they need to bring it up at the next round of CBA negotiations. Because there are already enough relievers on Major League rosters without asking your utility infielders or backup catchers to do it.
As a fan, there's always going to be the element of fun in seeing the position players pitch. It's kinda like watching American League pitchers hit in interleague road games. But as a strategy, I question the wisdom in doing it more than once or twice a season in an emergency situation. I realize that's not going to change anything, but the novelty of position players on the mound has definitely started to wear off.
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