Major League Baseball has implemented a number of different rule changes in recent years, including a pitch timer, defensive shift limits and larger bases.
The door has been left open for additional rule changes to come to MLB, such as the automated strike zone that could potentially be tested in Spring Training next year.
Another idea that has been floated is the “golden at-bat” rule, which would allow teams one opportunity per game to pick any at-bat to slot in a hitter of their choosing.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred reiterated he isn’t in favor of the golden at-bat rule being implemented, via ESPN’s Jesse Rogers:
“It has come out that I have spoken publicly about this kind of change years ago, that I was not particularly in favor of it,” Manfred said Thursday. “That remains the case.”
Manfred first mentioned the idea of the golden at-bat rule during a podcast appearance but said last week it was still years away from possibly reaching MLB.
Given the negative reaction to the golden at-bat rule, the chances of it being implemented any time soon are slim to none.
As of now, there are no plans to test the golden at-bat rule at the Minor League level next season.
Rob Manfred: MLB focused on Tokyo Series
MLB has canceled plans to play regular-season games in France, Mexico and Puerto Rico next season. However, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs will still open the year with the Tokyo Series in Japan as scheduled.
Manfred confirmed the league is currently focused on what should be another historic international series.
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