Atlanta Braves second baseman Whit Merrifield expressed his frustration with the state of current MLB pitching after being hit in the head by a 94.5 mph fastball from Colorado Rockies right-hander Jeff Criswell during Tuesday night’s game.
The incident, which occurred in the seventh inning at Truist Park, left Merrifield visibly angry as he addressed reporters following the game.
“It’s bullsh*t. It’s driving me nuts,” Merrifield vented. “I hate where the game is at right now with that. It’s just ridiculous.
“The way pitchers are throwing now, there’s no remorse or regard for throwing up and in. Guys are throwing as hard as they can, and they don’t care where the ball goes.”
The dangerous incident added to a growing list of Braves players who have suffered injuries from hit-by-pitches this season.
Third baseman Austin Riley is out for the remainder of the regular season after taking a 97 mph fastball to the hand, while outfielder Michael Harris and catcher Travis d’Arnaud have both missed time due to similar incidents.
Merrifield cited a disturbing trend in Major League Baseball, pointing out several other players who have faced serious injuries as a result of wild pitches.
“I watched Taylor Ward get hit in the face last year and have to get reconstructive surgery,” Merrifield recalled. “Justin Turner got hit in the face last year. It’s happening at an exponential rate.
“Guys are getting hit in the hand. Mookie Betts broke a bone in his hand this year. God forbid, something terrible is going to happen.”
One of Merrifield’s key grievances was the lack of accountability among pitchers, which he attributed to the elimination of pitchers having to bat, a result of the universal designated hitter rule.
“You can’t hit a guy back anymore,” he said. “There’s no fear that, ‘Oh if I hit this guy, then our guy is going to get hit.’ That’s not the game anymore. Pitchers don’t have to hit anymore, so they don’t have to stand in the box.”
Merrifield’s frustrations are reflected in league-wide statistics.
Through Tuesday, there have been 1,767 hit batters in Major League Baseball this season, surpassing the total number of hit-by-pitches in all of 2017.
In each of the past three full seasons, the number has exceeded 2,000, a figure not seen in over a century of baseball history.
As Merrifield’s outburst underscores, concerns about player safety are intensifying as hard-throwing pitchers continue to push the limits, leaving batters increasingly vulnerable to dangerous pitches.
Having said that, we all know the old-school days of true pitcher intimidation are virtually over. Back in the day, hitters could catch one in the ear for a plethora of reasons. (Just ask young Moonlight Graham…)
What are your thoughts on Merrifield’s comments?
Do you agree with him? … Or do you think he’s being a little soft?
He certainly makes a great point about pitchers no longer having to bat – along with the quick umpire warnings that are dished out for even the smallest of reasons. Those take away the players’ ability to police themselves.
Where do you stand on the issue???