Published 13 days ago • loading... • Updated 13 days ago

MLB's latest analytics battleground: Who gets to call pitches?

Manager Clayton McCullough praised ace pitcher Sandy Alcantara for executing a data-driven strategy during a strong seven-inning performance, as the Miami Marlins increasingly utilize analytics to call pitches from the dugout.
Teams utilize massive amounts of data to guide pitch selection, aiming to reduce cognitive load on young catchers—an approach the Marlins adopted starting last September.
Adjusting to the dugout's signals alongside catcher Liam Hicks, Alcantara said, "It's a lot different and it's new to me," acknowledging the shift.
Critics argue that stripping catchers of pitch-calling duties diminishes their development and traditional rhythm, whereas proponents believe real-time data processing provides competitive advantage.
As teams refine their analytical systems across baseball, the balance between dugout-directed strategies and player intuition remains a central point of discussion in the sport.

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