As hitters also can attest, teams routinely pitch to the shift. Come November, when Bryce Harper files for free agency, Boras will have a better idea of whether teams in the market for a nine-figure, power-hitting corner outfielder share that opinion.Īre hitters simply too stubborn to adjust, or are the answers more complex? The potential hazards of a hitter going outside his comfort zone to beat the shift were evident during a recent Nationals-Blue Jays game, when Washington's Matt Adams suffered a broken finger while squaring to bunt against a vacant left side of the infield. 'But the fact of the matter is the human element took over, and what they decided to do was go over the top rather than go the other way.''Īgent Scott Boras has labeled shifts 'discriminatory'' to left-handed hitters. 'It was common thought, 'People are going to learn just to go the other way,''' Manfred told reporters at the MLB owners meetings in June.

The list of interested bystanders includes commissioner Rob Manfred, who recently observed that hitters haven't adapted to the challenge in the manner baseball had anticipated. Louis Cardinals, Washington NationalsĪs Major League Baseball's competition committee debates the impact of defensive shifts, lots of people have theories on why hitters have been slow to adjust and are falling into a depressed, statistically impaired state as hot shots to the right side routinely result in outs. MLB hitters explain why they can't just beat the shift You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browser

Cant win perfect shift