Great strides have been made in the world of sports science over recent years, resulting in increased career longevity and general improvements in the skills of professional athletes. One example in MLB is that it has never been easier for the average pitcher to find a way to generate extra velocity on their fastball.
Some of the most important contributing factors to increasing velocity are proper strength and conditioning, arm care, and improved mechanics paired with a better throwing program. Technology and a better understanding of kinesiology have contributed to the process as well.
However, there has also been a noticeable rise in serious arm injuries for pitchers over the years. During an appearance on Questions For Cancer Research, commissioner Rob Manfred explained MLB has strong reason to believe the pursuit of higher velocities and spin rate are key factors because a sudden increase in pitcher injuries:
“The injury issue, our physicians have studied this carefully. They continue to believe that the focus on velocity and spin rate is a significant cause in the increase in injuries.”
In the 2024 season, starting pitchers were throwing faster than ever before with an average four-seam fastball velocity of 93.7 mph as of May 20. Compared to the league average from 15 years ago, that’s an increase of a full 2 mph.
MLB’s study included input from over 200 experts from various fields, including former Major League pitchers, orthopedic surgeons, sports medicine physicians, biomechanists, current MLB pitching coaches, athletic trainers and more.
There was a general agreement that pitchers’ desire to max out their velocity is driving the increase in injuries. There is plenty of empirical data to support the opinion as injured list days for elbow injuries rose from 3,940 in 2005 to 12,185 in 2024, and shoulder injuries saw a significant increase as well.
But in recent years, the study also found that injuries have been more prevalent during Spring Training in the lead-up to Opening Day, with injuries holding steady or declining in-season. Addressing the root of the problem for pitchers during this window is a good first step in fixing the issue as a whole.
Can MLB reverse trend with pitcher injuries?
Even if MLB was able to definitively prove that chasing high velocity negatively impacts a pitcher’s health, that fact is not likely to bring about significant change on its own. Pandora’s box has already been opened and players have seen what increased velocity and spin rate can do for their careers and earning potential even with the risks of injury.
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