We’re just a few days into spring training and it’s clear that the new pitch clock is going to have quite a big effect on the game this season and it will certainly require adjustments from pitchers and hitters. But so far, it sounds like New York Mets star pitcher Max Scherzer is a fan.
During an interview with ESPN following his first spring training game this week, Max Scherzer revealed that he thinks that the new rules give the pitchers an advantage over the hitters.
“Really, the power the pitcher has now — I can totally dictate pace,” Scherzer said. “The rule change of the hitter having only one timeout changes the complete dynamic of the hitter-and-pitcher dynamic. I love it.”
While the rules will still take some adjusting, Scherzer has already begun to learn how to take advantage of the rules, even talking with the umpire between innings to better learn the rules.
“I can come set even before the hitter really is in the box,” Scherzer said. “I can’t pitch until eight [seconds remain], but as soon as his eyes are up, I can go.
“So I had that conversation with the umpire to make sure it’s legal, and it is, so just getting used to how the game is in 2023.”
[ESPN]
