The Atlanta Braves and pitchers who have to hit

Multiple Atlanta Braves pitchers might be at risk this season if they have to carry a bat and step up to the plate.

If health and safety are truly priorities for MLB this year, then the universal designated hitter rule needs to be back — and not used as a bargaining chip.

But here we are in mid-February — a scant week before pitchers and catchers are set to report around the league — and it looks like the NL will return to being a pitcher-hitting league.

This isn’t part of a rollback of all the 2020 special rules.  In fact, we’ll still have…

• 7-inning double-headers
• Extra inning games start a runner on second base
• 26-man rosters (28 in September)
• 5-man taxi squads for emergencies

One improvement:  if there’s a COVID event, players can be added to the 40-man roster without having to remove an impacted player.

But then there’s the DH thing.  While I remain a baseball traditionalist, the pragmatic part of my brain has long ago recognized that a universal DH system is inevitable.

Pitchers seldom hit above the high-school level, and certainly not much in the pro ranks.  Only AA and AAA NL clubs have pitchers grabbing a bat, and then only when playing one another.

So pitchers could literally go for years without seeing live pitching… and yet we ask them to defend themselves against scorching fastballs and off-the-table breaking stuff in the majors?

Heck:  just the lack of experience at the plate makes for a dangerous situation if a pitch gets away and comes in on a pitcher-batter.  They simply may not be able to get out of the way without hurting themselves.

The impact on the Atlanta Braves

Already, there’s talk that the return of Mike Soroka may have to be delayed if he has to be able to hit and (gulp) run the bases.  That Achilles injury simply can’t be rushed in such a scenario.

But then there’s the case of guys like Ian Anderson.  Let’s review his pro batting career:

• Major leagues:  0 plate appearances
• Minor leagues:  80 games, 23 plate appearances, 18 official AB with 5 sacrifices and 12 punchouts.  He also hit into a double-play.

That’s it… 410 innings pitched at all pro levels and just 23 visits to the plate.  None since 2019.

By contrast, Soroka has at least had 71 PA in the majors (only 37 in the minors) over a total of 584+ innings pitched at all levels.  At least his K-rate is “only” 37%.

So what kinds of things can happen when going up to the plate and using muscles that you don’t normally exercise?

Pulled obliques?  Issues with back, groin, shoulders (shuddering to think about this one).  How about being hit on the hand because of a poor bunting technique?

Then there’s running the bases:  this isn’t just a jog in the outfield… it’s much more about sudden starts and stops… with sprinting in the middle.  We’ve seen caught spikes (Soroka), turned ankles, and much more.

We laugh because in 2011 at the very end of that famous “Let’s Go Pirates” 19-inning affair, pitcher Scott Proctor grounded a ball to third that (allegedly) scored the winning run for the Braves.  Proctor, on his way to first base, stumbled and face-planted onto the grass in the process.

Why?  Adrenaline for sure, and he probably couldn’t feel his legs.  But the fact is that he simply wasn’t used to batting and running.  In 7 major league seasons, he got to hit exactly 5 times!

The bottom line here is that while I hate the DH rule in general, I hate losing players to injury a lot more… and that’s going to happen if the pitchers are forced to hit.

Maybe that’s why the Atlanta Braves are selectively — but methodically — still adding backup arms to their arsenal… just in case:

"Ken Rosenthal on Twitter: “Free-agent RHP Nate Jones to Braves on minor-league deal with invite to major-league camp, source tells @TheAthletic.” / Twitter"

So please, MLB:  let’s figure this out so that we can keep the best players on the field as long as possible.  It’s not about money:  it’s about health and safety.