Defensive shifts in MLB aren’t a bad thing for the sport

Fans debate a new topic every week, from instant replay to whether hot dog cannons are dangerous. Defensive shifts made the way up the priority list more recently and whether the MLB should ban them. And it’s an easy answer – don’t get rid of them.

The pace of play, unwritten rules, and instant replay – that’s what baseball fans argue over on social media. But recently, the “travesty” of MLB defensive shifts are entering the discussion realm.

Analysts and experts have mixed views in regards to the formerly unorthodox game plan. Guys like the Athletic’s Jim Bowden believe these tactics will eliminate positions from the game entirely. Others, such as MLB Network’s Brian Kennedy, are in favor of them.

Reasonable arguments can be made for each side. But defensive shifts do not take anything traditional away from the sport, nor do they make baseball any less entertaining.

ESPN’s Buster Olney tried settling the debate via Twitter. And the results were clear – baseball fans enjoy having them in the sport. Of course, the near-55,000 responders to the poll are just a small sample of the fan base. Moreover, people can analyze the validity of that study in general.

Well, that's one way to beat the shift. pic.twitter.com/bhbXOHqbIU
— Mike Petriello (@mike_petriello) June 26, 2018

Advocates of banning shifts, like Royals manager Ned Yost, dubs them as a primary reason for fewer runs and more strikeouts in an average game. That was after reporters fed him the statistic that batters are notching fewer singles than ever before.

Yost might just be complaining because his players see it often, and they aren’t necessarily succeeding against it.

However, it’s clear several factors affect batters inability to hit singles, as well as their struggles at the plate overall. They see more specialized relievers.

More players are trying to lift the ball more too – launch angle is real. Heck, even umpires are calling more strikes – they aren’t perfect.

Inevitably, the reasons why MLB players strike out more can be associated with this belief as well.

What would banning shifts do?

Fans were excited when they witnessed a more extended bout with some extra baseball, especially in a high-scoring game. Now some of them want every contest to be less than three hours.

The elimination of defensive shifts would probably have a minimal effect on the length of games. Pitch clocks, mound visits, and shorter commercial breaks likely have a greater impact.

By eliminating or altering teams’ usage of shifts, the MLB would only defend players’ arrogance not to improve.

Pull hitters can bring fans to their feet by crushing the ball over the right-field fence. Most of them were never great with contact anyways.

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But take Joey Gallo for example. Sure, opposing teams limit his power by intimidating him with as many as six defenders on the right side. Even if shifts weren’t allowed, would he improve his average?

He owns a career average below the Mendoza line. No one can attribute that atrocious number solely to the role shifts play. That goes for other pull hitters as well.

Shifts provide players the opportunity and the motivation to improve as opposite-field hitters. And bunting skills might improve along the way as well, especially for aforementioned sluggers.

If David Ortiz could lay down bunts against shifts, it seems like any batter can. And that’s been one-way managers get around it.

It’s not like players are limited to hitting on one side of the field either. Even power hitters like Mitch Moreland and Eric Hosmer reveal their abilities to hit the other way.

But players – and managers – are stubborn in regards to their mentality and approach. They can overcome shifts. Hitters demonstrate that on almost a nightly basis.

Next: Let these Astros players in the All-Star Game

Haters are going to hate. But unfortunately for them, shifters are still going to shift – as they should.