Major League Baseball has been changing over the last decade or so. The implementation of new metrics and launch angle has forced hitters to adjust their approach at the plate. It has also led to the defensive shift becoming prominent seemingly every single game. New York Yankees slugger Joey Gallo while speaking to The Athletic shared his very strong thoughts.
Should MLB ban the shift? pic.twitter.com/yyLxNnlDK0
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) February 23, 2022
“I get the defensive strategies. I do. I am 100 percent not against that… But I think at some point, you have to fix the game a little bit… I don't understand how I'm supposed to hit a double or triple when I have six guys standing in the outfield.”
The Yankees power hitter does make a good point. Numerous baseball fans have been complaining for years now that the shift is ruining the game. Of course, one of the counter arguments is very obvious. Hitters today don't know how to hit. Yeah, they can pull the ball and hit home runs. But they can't go the other way intentionally, or simply lay a bunt down.
The days of small ball baseball seem to have gone by the wayside. It's home run or strike out now. Teams are putting players in motion less often. They don't want to take the chance the base runner is thrown out, making their upcoming home run to be a solo shot.
According to The Athletic's Jayson Stark, In 2013, there were approximately 6,900 shifts played during the regular season. That number has increased dramatically. Last season, there were about 59,000 shifts played. Clearly there has been a shift in the way the game is played, pun intended.
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