Report: MLB Expected to Approve Pitch Clock, Shift Restrictions, More Rule Changes

Major League Baseball is expected to approve major rule changes Friday according to Evan Drellich and Ken Rosenthal.

There are a number of ideas on the table.

The commissioner's office has a majority of representatives on the competition committee, so MLB has the power to push through the changes it wants.

The pitch clock is the most significant change. The rule would limit pitchers to a maximum of 20 seconds with runners on base and 15 seconds when the bases are empty.

In April, Jeff Passan wrote that the pitch clock in the minor league system was "dramatically speeding up the pace while not having a noticeable effect on scoring."

Devan Fink @DevanFink

The pitch clock is the best possible rule change. Minor league games feel so crisp; it's how baseball should be played. https://t.co/f36UIzfG63

The new bases in Major League Baseball would match what's already being used in the minor league. The idea is to increase the rate of stolen bases in order to limit the risk of injury.

The pitchers will only be able to attempt two pickoffs. If the pitcher fails to throw out the runner, he will be charged with a balk.

A chess match between runners and pitchers is possible.

Corn Crake @cdgoldstein

I think the idea here is that runners will take more aggressive leads after two throws, making a successful pickoff and stolen base more likely. Then it's up to the pitcher what gamble he wants to make.

None of that is likely to go down well with fans. The topic of banning defensive shifts might be a hot one.

According to Drellich and Rosenthal, a minimum of four players besides the pitcher and catcher would have both feet in front of the infield dirt, and two fielders would need to be on either side of second base.

The batting average for hitters in MLB is.243, which is the third-lowest rate since 1961. This is a trend that has been going on for a long time.

Everyone agrees that there needs to be more action on the field. It is not clear how banning the shift will solve that problem.

Matthew Pouliot @matthewpouliot

No. Taking away the shift is a big advantage for the pull hitters who tend to make less contact. https://t.co/2FxQtMKm5y

Mike Petriello @mike_petriello

Like, I think there's a sizeable portion of fans who will be floored a shift ban doesn't massively cut K or raise BA by 25 points across the board. But at least we'll get to prove that in action.

Managers can challenge whether the opposing team is breaking the shift rules. The benefits of the pitch clock are at risk if replay reviews are expanded.

Fans need to get used to the idea because it looks like the ban on shifts is going to happen.