Coddling young pitchers: IP vs pitches thrown

Gruber_Tagged_Him · 04-08-2019, 05:47 PM

I've realized (duh...) that I should pay attention to the workload of young pitchers as they make their way to MLB. But I'm a bit unclear about how the game decides that you are abusing a young pitcher.

Great example: I have a prospect who graduated from relieving into starting this year. He is already 35 IP over his total from last year. And is totally killing it. I've been conservatively pulling him after 5 IP for a few starts now, just to limit his IP. (I took control of my bullpen a while back, got mad at the usage...) But he just went 6 IP with 1 hit allowed in 68 pitches. So... Leave him in because pitch count is so low? Or pull him out for the 7th because IP is used in the "damaging your pitcher calc"?

NoOne · 04-08-2019, 08:49 PM

if you don't overwork them in a start, you shouldn't feel worried.

if you regularly pitch them well beyond 'slightly tired', and they are often not fully recovered with 4-days rest (assuming 5-man rotation), then you should be worried a bit.

nothing is guarnateed.. .still a chance you can work them like a dog and have no ill effects manifest. it will only increase the chance of it occuring.

i regularly use pitch counts designed to ensure minimum 96% recovered by next start, and most of the time 99-100%. my guys hold up well whether rookies or vets that aren't too old.

check manual -- they explain they put pitch counts on the MiL levels -- not inning counts -- to avoid wear-n-tear. so, there's some substance to what i say beyond anecdotal experiences. since it directly relates to fatigue, it's almost a certainty.

as far as knocking off rust? i'd assume it's IP, though... more congruent with batting counterparts using AB? could be wrong. pitch count sounds reasonably better for that too, but who knows.. manual notes for batters (i believe), so it likely notes for pitchers on rust/rehab.

04-08-2019, 05:47 PM	#1
Gruber_Tagged_Him Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Canada Posts: 209	Coddling young pitchers: IP vs pitches thrown I've realized (duh...) that I should pay attention to the workload of young pitchers as they make their way to MLB. But I'm a bit unclear about how the game decides that you are abusing a young pitcher. Great example: I have a prospect who graduated from relieving into starting this year. He is already 35 IP over his total from last year. And is totally killing it. I've been conservatively pulling him after 5 IP for a few starts now, just to limit his IP. (I took control of my bullpen a while back, got mad at the usage...) But he just went 6 IP with 1 hit allowed in 68 pitches. So... Leave him in because pitch count is so low? Or pull him out for the 7th because IP is used in the "damaging your pitcher calc"?

04-08-2019, 08:49 PM	#2
NoOne Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 7,167	if you don't overwork them in a start, you shouldn't feel worried. if you regularly pitch them well beyond 'slightly tired', and they are often not fully recovered with 4-days rest (assuming 5-man rotation), then you should be worried a bit. nothing is guarnateed.. .still a chance you can work them like a dog and have no ill effects manifest. it will only increase the chance of it occuring. i regularly use pitch counts designed to ensure minimum 96% recovered by next start, and most of the time 99-100%. my guys hold up well whether rookies or vets that aren't too old. check manual -- they explain they put pitch counts on the MiL levels -- not inning counts -- to avoid wear-n-tear. so, there's some substance to what i say beyond anecdotal experiences. since it directly relates to fatigue, it's almost a certainty. as far as knocking off rust? i'd assume it's IP, though... more congruent with batting counterparts using AB? could be wrong. pitch count sounds reasonably better for that too, but who knows.. manual notes for batters (i believe), so it likely notes for pitchers on rust/rehab. Last edited by NoOne; 04-08-2019 at 08:53 PM.