Minor League Baseball returns on Tuesday for the first time since 2019, but the game will look a bit different at each level.
Major League Baseball instituted experimental rule changes at each level for this season, which include things like bigger bases in Triple-A, a limit on shifts in Double-A, an automated strike zone in low-A ball and moving the pitching rubber back a foot in the Atlantic League.
The rules are aimed at creating more action within the game, but some of them still have fans scratching their heads and wondering if baseball is tinkering too much with the product.
Former Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox executive Theo Epstein has been tasked with overseeing these changes and explained to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers the rationale behind each rule.
“We have to do it in a way that isn’t too far removed from the essence of baseball,” Epstein explained. “No one is looking to reinvent the wheel here. This is the greatest game in the world and we want to reserve the essence of baseball. A lot of this is restoring the game to the way it’s historically been played.”
But how, exactly, is something like expanding the size of baes from 15 square inches to 18 square inches accomplish that?
“Just putting the ball in play will make you more likely to reach base,” Epstein said. “Infields would have to play in. More balls would get through. The value of a single rises dramatically. The trip around the bases is easier. Now there’ll be a huge premium on just getting on base and athletes who can run.”
Epstein’s explanations on the rest of the rules are as follows:
On regulating the shift (second half of season): “There are some issues to going to two on each side. There’s enforcement and player safety. You might have fielders moving with the pitch or the swing. Umpires would have to be focused on the action. A little more work to do.”
On automated balls and strikes: “You’re seeing the ABS [automated balls and strikes] being used in the low minors this year because with that comes the potential to change the strike zone to one that is optimal for contact. Different strike zones lead to different styles of play.”
On moving the mound back (second half): “The extra foot gives the hitter an extra 1/100th of a second of reaction time, which is the equivalent of a mile-and-a-half of velocity. The presumption is that it will allow hitters to make more contact against premium velocity.”
While these changes at the major-league level are not necessarily imminent, Epstein noted that it will at least give the league the data to dissect and analyze to understand the impact of the rule changes.
“We also want to understand how they interrelate to one another and make sure we’re avoiding unintended consequences,” he said.
Whether or not these changes reach MLB in a year or five years one thing is for certain — change is coming and fans should be ready to expect it.
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