MLB study confirms dangers of trend for velocity above all

In the world of baseball, where the crack of the bat and the snap of the glove tell tales of glory and defeat, a storm is brewing - one that casts a shadow over the pursuit of speed. A recent study by Major League Baseball has confirmed medical concerns over a modern trend: the mindless chase for higher pitch velocities and enhanced pitch movement, often referred to as “stuff,” is leading to a surge in pitcher injuries.

This isn’t new. Surgeons and trainers have been pointing this out for years, and even so dull a tool as this reporter wrote an article on the subject last year. But now, it is MLB themselves who are sounding the claxon.

Since 2008, the average speed of a four-seam fastball in the majors has climbed from 91.3 mph to 94.2 mph.

This escalation isn’t confined to the big leagues; it’s trickling down to high school and youth baseball, where young arms are pushed to emulate their professional idols. The allure of catching a scout’s eye by lighting up the radar gun has led many aspiring pitchers down a perilous path.

The consequences are evident. In 2010, there were 104 Tommy John surgeries - a procedure to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow - across major and minor leagues. By 2020, that number had peaked at 314, with a slight decline to 281 in 2024.

Notably, 35 players selected in the top 10 rounds of this year’s amateur draft had undergone Tommy John surgery, a stark increase from just four in 2005.

The study underscores that the emphasis on maximum effort pitching - hurling each ball with full force - is a significant contributor to these injuries. This approach not only strains the arm but also leads to fatigue, which can compromise mechanics and increase injury risk. Medical experts have observed a rise in specific injuries, including latissimus and teres major tears, rib fractures, and oblique strains, all linked to the pursuit of velocity.

To address this growing concern, the report suggests that MLB consider rule changes aimed at promoting pitcher health and longevity. One proposal is to adjust playing rules to encourage or require starting pitchers to conserve energy, enabling them to pitch deeper into games. This could be supported by roster regulations that manage the availability of pitchers, potentially limiting the number and frequency of roster changes to prevent overuse.

The implications of this trend extend beyond professional baseball. Youth and high school pitchers are increasingly undergoing surgeries once reserved for seasoned professionals. At the Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Center, ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) surgeries among young pitchers rose from 10% of all such surgeries in 1995 to 52% in 2021, before a slight drop to 42% in 2023.

The culture of baseball has long celebrated the power pitcher - the one who can light up the radar gun and make batters swing defensively. However, this study serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us that the quest for speed can come at a steep price. As the baseball community reflects on these findings, the hope is that a balance can be struck - one that values not just the speed of the pitch, but the health and longevity of those who throw it.

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