We’ve got some serious heat coming from Atlanta Braves star Whit Merrifield, and no, it’s not just about his play on the field. Merrifield is absolutely fed up with the state of pitching in Major League Baseball, and he’s not holding back.
After getting hit by a 94.5 mph fastball on Tuesday, Merrifield didn’t mince words, calling the current pitching situation “pathetic” and issuing a stark warning: “Something terrible is going to happen” if changes aren’t made.
So, what’s all the fuss about? During the Braves’ win over the Colorado Rockies, Merrifield took a fastball to the head from rookie pitcher Jeff Criswell. It hit the back of his helmet near his left ear—an extremely dangerous spot. He was visibly shaken, kneeling down while glaring at Criswell before eventually making his way to the dugout. Thankfully, he passed the concussion protocol, but the frustration was palpable.
Merrifield had plenty to say after the game, and let’s just say, he didn’t sugarcoat his feelings. “It’s bulls—; it’s driving me nuts,” he said, echoing the frustrations of players all over the league. He’s angry at how pitchers are being brought up, throwing 100 mph without the ability to control where the ball is going. As Merrifield put it, “They throw 100 miles an hour… just set up down the middle and throw it as hard as you can.” That’s a scary recipe for disaster, especially when it involves wild pitches near a batter’s head.
Now, Merrifield is no stranger to the game’s inner workings. He’s a player rep on MLB’s competition committee, and he’s vowed to bring this issue up with other committee members. The heart of the problem? Pitchers today don’t face consequences like they used to. Gone are the days when plunking a batter meant an opposing pitcher might pay the price. With the designated hitter in both leagues, pitchers never step into the box, so they don’t experience the fear of retaliation. As Merrifield pointed out, “You can’t hit a guy anymore back. There’s no fear.”
Unfortunately, Merrifield isn’t alone in this battle. He’s the fourth Braves player in under a month to be hit by a high-and-tight fastball. Just last month, Austin Riley, their star third baseman, broke his hand on a 97 mph pitch, putting him out for the rest of the regular season. Michael Harris and Travis d’Arnaud also missed time after getting plunked, though luckily, they avoided more severe injuries.
Merrifield is calling for change, and fast, before someone gets seriously hurt. He referenced some horrifying injuries around the league, like Taylor Ward’s facial injury last year, which required reconstructive surgery, and Justin Turner’s face getting hit. Even Mookie Betts broke a bone in his hand this year. It’s happening more often, and the numbers don’t lie.
While Merrifield is expected to be fine, the bigger issue remains: what will it take to fix this? “It’s just pathetic,” Merrifield said bluntly. If the league doesn’t take action, it might not be long before a freak accident changes the game forever.
Image Credit: Atlanta Braves second baseman Whit Merrifield is hit in the head with a pitch. / Brett Davis-Imagn Images
