Baseball has changed over time. When Babe Ruth entered the game, it shifted from a strategic low-scoring game to becoming one where power hitters went on to dominate the landscape. More recently, a shift has been seen towards more heavy statistical analysis and number crunching, with front office staff preferring computer calculations to a feel for the game.

Specifically, when it comes to pitching today, we have seen shifts being deployed. Shifting the power balance in MLB towards the pitching team for a bit, Joey Gallo, too, had an opinion.

In a recent report by the Athletic, it was considered as to how shifts operate and how effective they are. In several statistical metrics, it was seen that shifts significantly improve the pitching team’s chances. But this also means that the shifts disadvantage the batting team.

Shifts are effectively changes in traditional positions for infield and outfield players to bring more fielders into play for specific hitters. While there are several shifts that are more conventional, baseball has seen a lot of innovation with the variety of shits deployed too. The question to be asked, however, then gets simpler. Is there a balance to be struck, or is this for the players to adapt and change their playing style?

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Joey Gallo opines on Shifts

Joey Gallo, of the New York Yankees, has been on the receiving end for several of these adjustments. With the left-handed batter seeing shifts specifically calibrated to his hits, he had some complaints about the defensive adjustments.

Also a competitor, though, Gallo expressed some solidarity with the concept, too. Said Gallo, “I get the defensive strategies, I do.”

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However, he also had some concerns regarding the proliferation of these shifts in the long term. Specifically, ones that could advantage the pitching team. Said Gallo, “But I think at some point, you have to fix the game a little bit,” indicating that the game would need a re-jig in what it allowed at some point.

And it’s easy to see why. Gallo’s job on the roster is to keep the bases moving. And with a packed outfield for a lefty hitter, that would obviously be that much tougher to carry out. “I don’t understand how I’m supposed to hit a double or triple when I have six guys standing in the outfield,” Gallo said.

And while Gallo’s concerns are obvious, could it be that the batters need to adapt? The shifts are operating to help along with the pitching team, but the concept of baseball exists to compete. And a contest between bat and ball is what we want to watch. Could it be that’s what we are seeing pan out in front of us? What do you think?