In the first month of MLB, it was clear that the balls were not traveling as much as last year or the year before.
Everyone, from heaters to pitchers to numbers, agrees with the fact that there was something wrong with the ball.
This led to a drastic reduction in slugging and run-scoring numbers from 7 April to 2 May.
However, and according to an MLB insider, there has been a somewhat aggressive rise in recent days.
“As mentioned in the podcast, crime has increased somewhat since the 14-pitcher limit 5/2 came into effect. Per game per team: 4/7 to 5/2: 4.08 R, 0.91 HR, .678 league-wide OPS. 5/2 to 5/15: 4.30 R, 1.04 HR, .691 OPS. 2021: 4.53 R, 1.22 HR, .728 OPS. The weather is getting warmer too … ”reports Ken Rosenthal of Athletic.
As mentioned in the podcast, crime has increased somewhat since the 14-pitcher limit 5/2 came into effect.
Per team per game:
4/7 to 5/2: 4.08 R, 0.91 HR, .678 league-wide OPS
5/2 to 5/15: 4.30 R, 1.04 HR, .691 OPS
2021: 4.53 R, 1.22 HR, .728 OPS
The weather is getting hot too …Perform
– Why Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) May 18, 2022
A .678 league-wide OPS isn’t appealing to the average viewer or fan, but it’s nice to know that the numbers are apparently growing.
A.691 OPS is still very low, considering that last year’s mark was above .700.
The number of offenders is increasing
But a change is a change, and the hitters will probably accept it.
Still, the sample size is only 13 days, which means it’s not enough to draw a conclusion.
Once we enter the summer months and get behind the cold weather, in addition, the offensive numbers may improve somewhat.
However, in the first few weeks of the season, the league has a chance to come to know about the balls used.
We will not know for sure if there is no announcement though.
Anyway, it’s nice to know that the recent offensive performances have come close to what we fans and observers expect.
Let’s see the numbers a month from now.