A lot of Major League Baseball pitchers and catchers are going electric this season in an attempt to zap the opposing team’s chances of stealing signals.
On Tuesday, MLB gave teams the go-ahead to begin using electronic devices that transmit signals from catchers to pitchers. The system is called PitchCom.
MLB says that half of its 30 teams have indicated they will open the season with some of their pitchers using PitchCom. The Rockies experimented with it during spring training, and catcher Elias Diaz and pitchers Carlos Estevez and Ty Blach gave the system a thumbs up.
Traditionally, catchers have used their fingers to signal the type of pitch and its intended location. And, traditionally, baserunners perched on second base have attempted to steal those signals. It was always an accepted part of the game.
But as the use of videos at ballparks increased, teams found new ways to swipe signals. The Houston Astros were penalized for using a camera and banging a trash can to alert their batters to what type of pitch was coming en route to their 2017 World Series title.
“It basically eliminates all need to create a sign system, for a catcher giving signs,” MLB chief operations and strategy officer Chris Marinak told reporters during a news conference on Tuesday. “You literally just press a button and it delivers the pitch call to the pitcher. And what we’ve seen so far, it really improves the pace of the game.”
The system includes a push-button transmitter, worn on the catcher’s glove-side wrist. The catcher signals for a pitch to earpieces inside the caps of the pitcher, as well as any three position players the team designates.
According to The New York Times, PitchCom is encrypted, and the league has other systems in place to prevent hacking or intercepting the signal.
“We’ve done a lot of diligence there, and we feel good about that,” Marinak said.
Closing time. Right-hander Daniel Bard looks to be manager Bud Black’s choice for closer to begin the season.
Bard, armed with a 97-100 mph fastball and a biting slider, opened last season as the closer but lost the job in August to right-hander Carlos Estevez.
Right-hander Alex Colome, the former Twins closer, has 155 career saves and could be used in the ninth inning, from time to time. The same goes for Estévez. For now, the duo appears to be the primary set-up men for Bard.
Get your tickets. Opening day at Coors Field is typically sold out but as of Thursday night, there were about 200-250 tickets available, according to the Rockies’ website. Many of those seats have obstructed views.
200 dingers. Veteran outfielder Charlie Blackmon is closing in on a significant milestone: 200 career homers.
Blackmon begins the season with 191 career home runs. He hit 13 in 2021, the fewest in his career for a full season in which he was a starter.
On Deck
Dodgers RHP Walker Buehler (16-4, 2.47 ERA in 2021) at Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (7-8, 4.43 in 2021)
2:10 p.m. Friday, Coors Field
TV: ATTRM
Radio: 850 AM/94.1 FM
Freeland is hoping for a repeat performance of his big-league debut five years ago in Colorado’s home opener vs. the Dodgers. The left-hander pitched six innings, giving up one run on four hits, with six strikeouts and two walks. Friday marks Freeland’s second opening day start, as he also got the call in 2019, allowing one run over seven innings in a road win at Miami. The Denver native has posted a 4.33 ERA in consecutive seasons after struggling in 2019 (6.73 ERA) and dominating in 2018 when he set a franchise record with a 2.85 ERA. In 16 career starts vs. the Dodgers, Freeland is 3-7 with a 4.09 ERA.
Buehler, who’s making his first opening-day start, has established himself as one of the most dominant pitchers in the National League. The two-time all-star made all of his scheduled starts last season (33), pitched a career-high 207 2/3 innings, and went into at least the sixth inning 29 times. He’s faced the Rockies 19 times in his career (15 starts), going 6-2 with a 4.20 ERA. In 10 games (eight starts) at Coors Field, he’s 2-1 with a 5.03 ERA.
Trending: Entering this season, Rockies manager Bud Black has 998 career regular-season wins. With two wins, he will become the 66th manager in major league history to reach 1,000 career victories.
At issue: If the Rockies are going to climb back into contention, they’ll have to find a way to beat the Dodgers on a more consistent basis. The Dodgers have owned the Rockies for years and went 13-6 against them in 2021.
Pitching probables
- Saturday: Dodgers TBA at Rockies RHP German Marquez (12-11, 4.40), 6:05 p.m., ATTRM
- Sunday: Dodgers TBA at Rockies RHP Antonio Senzatela (4-10, 4.42), 1:10 p.m., ATTRM
- Monday: Rockies LHP Austin Gomber (9-9, 4.53) at Rangers Taylor Hearn (6-6, 4.66), 2:05 p.m., ATTRM
