Denver Post sports writer Patrick Saunders with the latest installment of his Rockies Mailbag. Pose a Rockies — or MLB — related question for the Rockies Mailbag.
Greetings Patrick. Which of the new MLB rule changes in 2023 will — or should — impact the game most? One would think the shift or pitch clock should, but my money is on the bigger bases and the position players’ pitching rules. What is your more professional opinion?
— Robert Emmerling, Limon
Robert, wow, “my more professional opinion?” What do they put in the water in Limon?
Anyway, we disagree.
I believe that the pitch clock is going to be the biggest game-changer. And it’s going to require a big adjustment for not just the guy on the mound but the guy at the plate.
For those unaware, here’s how the new rule works: With the bases empty, pitchers will now have 15 seconds to begin their motion once the catcher returns the ball to them and 20 seconds between pitches with runners on.
Commissioner Rob Manfred’s top priority is to make baseball faster and more entertaining. Last season, to find out if fans liked the pitch clock, Major League Baseball asked 15,000 minor league fans if they supported the use of a pitch clock. MLB came away convinced fans did indeed like shorter games and a quicker pace of play.
On average, minor league games with the pitch clock were nearly 26 minutes shorter in 2022 than games without the clock during the 2021 season.
As teams get used to the new rules during spring training games, I imagine we will hear complaints from pitchers and hitters. It’s going to be a major adjustment.
Putting limits on defensive alignments — so-called banning the shift — is going to have a big impact, too. But I don’t think it will affect the game as much as the pitch clock.
This is how the defensive rule works. In an effort to boost offense and action on the field, MLB is instituting a rule in which teams must have four infielders on the dirt at the start of each pitch, with at least two defenders entirely on each side of second base.
If the defense violates the rule, the hitting team can choose an automatic ball or accept the result of the play.
Left-handed pull hitters such as the Rockies’ Charlie Blackmon and Ryan McMahon will benefit from the new rule. We’ll see what kind of defensive adjustments teams dream up.
Do you think this will finally be Brendan Rodgers’ breakout year? He was an absolute stud in the minors but hasn’t become that offensive stud we’ve been hoping he would become.
— Mike, Denver
Mike, Rodgers’ continued offensive improvement is central to Colorado’s chances to be an improved ballclub in 2023. I believe there is a lot more in there, so, yes, he has a chance to become “a stud” on offense.
I go back to something Nolan Arenado told me years ago when he said that Rodgers’ sweet, simple swing was one of the best he’s seen.
But Rodgers, dogged by shoulder and hamstring injuries, has been a late bloomer, and he endured a horrific slump last April when he hit .078 (4-for-58). But he hit .286 (136-for-476) from May 1 through the end of the season. Being able to bounce back from that slump was huge.
During his 20-game hitting streak from May 9 to June 2, Rodgers slashed .363/.414/.588 with 14 RBIs. It was the longest hitting streak by a Rockies player since a 21-game hitting streak by Carlos Gonzalez from Sept. 23, 2015 to April 16, 2016.
The next step for Rodgers, and it’s a big one, is to be a more consistent hitter with more power. In 1,098 career plate appearances, he’s launched only 28 homers.
Also, Rodgers needs to quit pounding the ball into the dirt. He grounded into 25 double plays last season.
Patrick, any thoughts on Kyle Freeland being named as a replacement for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic? He committed to the team months ago and was snubbed on the initial roster. Is this a chip on his shoulder that he may be able to carry into the regular season?
— Ron, Parker
Ron, as you are no doubt aware, Freeland was named to the Team USA roster on Monday as a replacement for the Yankees’ Nestor Cortes, who will miss the WBC because of a Grade 2 hamstring strain.
I have not heard that Freeland is upset about “being snubbed.”
Freeland is a fiercely competitive person and uses a lot of things as motivation but I don’t think this qualifies. Plus, he seems genuinely excited to be added to the roster:
Want more Rockies news? Sign up for the Rockies Insider to get all our MLB analysis.
