Pitching Longevity Has Officially Hit an All
Sports Illustrated • • sports
Key Points:
- MLB starting pitchers are increasingly being used like sprinters, focusing on maximum effort and velocity from the first pitch, leading to shorter outings and more frequent rest days.
- The decline in starting pitcher workload is accelerating, with July 2026 seeing only two complete games—the fewest ever for that month—and starters averaging just 5.03 innings per outing.
- The workload split between starters and relievers has shifted significantly over 15 years, from 65%-35% to 57%-43%, reflecting the reduced innings pitched by starters.
- Pitch count limits have decreased, with no pitcher throwing more than 120 pitches in a game since August 2025, and only 13 starts exceeding 110 pitches in the current season.
- Velocity modulation during games has nearly disappeared; starters now maintain high velocity throughout their outings, with first-inning speeds in 2026 surpassing ninth-inning speeds from 2011, indicating a shift toward sustained maximum effort pitching.
