Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Chris Bassitt recently expressed his concerns about the trend of MLB pitchers pushing themselves to throw harder.
During a podcast episode, Bassitt discussed the number of players getting injured due to this trend, which can result in missed games or even whole seasons.
Chris Bassitt thinks pitchers are getting hurt because teams are too obsessed with velocity.
"[human bodies] are made to throw 91-92 and that’s ok" pic.twitter.com/EmGN3fzt5x
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) March 18, 2024
He believes that the focus should be on pitching rather than just throwing, as the human body is not naturally built to handle high velocities.
As a nine-year veteran, Bassitt understands the risks associated with higher velocity pitches, especially those over 95 mph.
Dr. Keith Meister, the head physician for the Texas Rangers, also voiced concerns about pitcher health, criticizing teams for prioritizing short-term performance over long-term well-being.
The regular season will begin soon, but several players, including Gerrit Cole, the reigning Cy Young winner, will be sidelined due to injuries.
Cole"s expected leadership role for the New York Yankees has been put on hold due to an elbow issue.
Other notable players on the injured list include Justin Verlander of the Houston Astros and Lucas Giolito of the Boston Red Sox.
Fans reacted as follows:
Well he is right and it starts at younger ages. kids won’t be looked twice at unless they touch 90+ by 14/15 years old
— Imagyn (@_imagyn) March 18, 2024
He’s completely right. Teams will pay more for guys who can flash 100-102 but don’t realize that’ll last for 2 seasons
— Last Take™ (@TheRealLastTake) March 18, 2024
More pitchers need to be like Scherzer or Verlander. They’ll sit mid 90s all game and save the high 90s or 100+ for strikeouts or other high leverage spots. Conserve your arm by throwing 80-90% and use your 100% as a special, exclusive weapon.
— Chandler Patrick "ChanMan" (@ChanMan219) March 18, 2024
100%. The velocity obsession trickles all the way down.
— Sean Joseph (@sjoseph_sports) March 18, 2024
Big time facts and I miss you Bass
— Diamond Tales (@RSAdiamondtales) March 18, 2024
at this point if a pitcher is considered "good" before tommy john which is tied to high velocity most teams are willing to invest further than actually waiting to develop a pitcher.
— Magic Okaino (@notimpresed) March 18, 2024
Would be interested to see if any trend when comparing injuries to "power" vs "finesse" guys
— SHREDDER (@SHREDDER_365) March 18, 2024
Chris Bassitt is right.
— Our Mets Podcast 🍎 (@OurMetsPodcast) March 18, 2024
@OldDadBod CHED philosophy is a problem. 😂 Doesn’t make my team if he can’t hit 95 on the gun.
— ThickChedr (@ThickChedr) March 18, 2024
There’s never been an ADULT pitching injury due to velocity. Ever.
Misuse of the arm and/or lack of fitness causes all pitching arm injuries.
— Kharma (@Pronate) March 18, 2024
Human bodies aren't even meant to do that. Brother is bang on with this
— Hughes for Norris (@dylancrewscigar) March 18, 2024
Nolan Ryan pitched 5000+ innings and threw gas.
Bob Gibson threw 250+ complete games and threw gas.
Steve Carlton, Randy Johnson, Bob Feller,Walter Johnson ,none struggled with velocity.
I think it has more to do with focusing on one sport at a young age, and breaking balls.— Crawford (@Crawdaddy26250) March 18, 2024
He’s not wrong. The focus on maximum velocity and spin rate along with having young pitchers play baseball year round is a factor in the rise of Tommy John surgeries.
— David Vauthrin (@davidv2001) March 18, 2024
This is taught at a young age these days. Little league coaches are focusing on pure power and getting that extra mph instead of control and how to pitch
— shawn (@shawnpensfan) March 18, 2024
As a pro trainer said in SI last year, velocity is good for the team, but not the pitcher. You blow your arm out and there are 3 other guys throwing gas dying to replace you. The velo industrial complex is down to 8U now and the injury wave hasn’t peaked.
— Mig Greengard (@chessninja) March 19, 2024
I've been saying this for years… Who gives a crap if you throw 100mph if you can't put it where you need to? The obsession with pure velo is absolutely pointless. pic.twitter.com/iFLycwHe1o
— FeanorLegend 🇯🇵⚾ (@feanor_legend) March 18, 2024
God I love Christ Bassitt. Couldn’t be a better advocate for this discussion. He consistently lets his pitching (not throwing) do the talking. Absolute ace.
— Leafs Fan (@leafsfaan) March 19, 2024
I could bring it in high school, right around 90 mph and I see these guys throwing upper 90s now and think, what does your arm feel like? haha…
— Michael Snyder (@SeattleWXGuy) March 19, 2024
Leave it to Chris Bassett to sling truth bombs left, right and center. 100% correct
— Andrew Gee (@juniors_tonic) March 18, 2024
