MLB teams will abuse this
Primarily though, there is the problem that MLB teams are not going to use this rule as innocently as the league is intending by trying this rule out in the first place.
Theoretically, when a either slower player reaches base, or a player that seems to be a statistical certainty to ground the ball to the left side of the infield comes up to bat, or both, the designated pinch runner can ride to the rescue to keep alive the prospect of an exciting inning. Sounds great. After all, who wants to watch Daniel Vogelbach run the bases? Hilarious TV commercial aside, of course.
The thing is, the most likely outcome of this rule being introduced isn’t going to be having a permanent pinch runner for Daniel Vogelbach.
No, the most likely outcome is having a permanent pinch runner for Fernando Tatis.
Or Ronald Acuna. Or Jose Ramirez. Or Aaron Judge. Or Jose Altuve. Pick a highly paid superstar. If MLB passes this rule, that player is never running the bases again.
Why? Because despite bigger bases, injuries happen. Baserunning is a strained shoulder or broken finger waiting to happen. MLB is trying out this rule in the Atlantic League in the hopes of determining that it increases excitement and scoring during the game. But how much does excitement increase if the players fans are most invested in watching are spending less time on the field?
Think about eliminated rules like the shift. Think about adopted rules like the universal DH. Think about the last 10 years of bullpen management. MLB teams are very smart, looking for every advantage allowed by the rules. But there isn’t anything more advantageous to those teams than protecting a valued asset.
Now, while I would argue that any time a team takes a star off the field is a loss for the fans, there are certainly some star players fans won’t weep to never see run the bases again. Pete Alonso? Rickey Henderson, he is not. The thing about those dynamic stars mentioned above though, is that they are stars because they are great at stealing and hitting. Fun to watch the entire time. Trea Turner isn’t Trea Turner because he can acquit himself on the basepaths better than Billy Hamilton or Jon Berti. He’s Trea Turner because he can also hit .300 and club 20 to 30 home runs.
So there’s no reason to believe that a team wouldn’t frequently chose to avoid letting a superstar do something as risky as slide into second, when countless minor leaguers are capable of posting a similar sprint speed from first.
Bottom-line, there are rule changes that accent and enhance the game, and rule changes that fundamentally change the character of it. The ones introduced in 2023 have all done the former.
This latest Atlantic League experiment though? Unquestionably the later. It’s just one change too many.