162 Inning Pitchers are Disappearing

[frankbmd]

92 (2010)
93
88
81
88
78
74
58
57
53 (2019) (Yes, this number will be little higher when the season ends.)

From 2010 to 2019 the number of pitchers qualifying for the ERA leadership in their league, requiring 162 IP, is decreasing. From 2010 to 2019 the trend is from the low nineties to the fifties.

I suspect the number of starting pitchers completing 5 innings, to qualify for a win, is similarly decreasing. Certainly the number of innings per game has similarly been decreasing.

Pitching to a batter three times in a game will soon be unheard of.

The number of bullpen seats either increases or their occupancy rate does.

What does the future hold?

1. A single pitcher in one league wins an ERA crown with an ERA of 4.87, because no other pitcher in the league qualifies.

2. Ten game winners will be considered outstanding.

3. Bull pens will have to be expanded to 18-20 seats and rosters will have to be expanded to 30-32 players per team.

4. To address pace of play the next pitcher to enter the game will have to stand behind the mound, so that he can take over with a simple wave of the manager from the bench. The next pitcher would then assume the position behind the mound as soon as possible transported by a Harley-Davidson from the pen after a foul ball, a challenged play or the next commercial break.

5. More surgeons will be needed to specialize in Tommy John surgery to meet the ever increasing demand.

6. Fielder's gloves will never wear out with the ever increasing number of strikeouts and home runs.

What else does the future hold in your opinion?

[Tripredacus]

It cannot all be due to managers being creative and using the bullpen more. What effect does injuries have on this trend? Are pitcher injuries up over the years?

[D. Bergin]

Middle Relief pitchers will begin to get more consideration from Cy Young Award voters.

[D. Bergin]

Out of curiosity, I looked up the Yanks pitchers, and they will likely only have 1 pitcher (Tanaka), qualify with enough innings for the ERA title.

Yanks top two WAR pitchers are relievers (Britton and Ottavino).

[AGuinness]

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

Out of curiosity, I looked up the Yanks pitchers, and they will likely only have 1 pitcher (Tanaka), qualify with enough innings for the ERA title.



Yanks top two WAR pitchers are relievers (Britton and Ottavino).

That’s a surprise.

My Red Sox will have two SPs qualify for the ERA title with 162 or more innings, although the downside is that one of them is Rick Porcello...

[frankbmd]

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

Out of curiosity, I looked up the Yanks pitchers, and they will likely only have 1 pitcher (Tanaka), qualify with enough innings for the ERA title.

Yanks top two WAR pitchers are relievers (Britton and Ottavino).

Originally Posted by AGuinness

That’s a surprise.

My Red Sox will have two SPs qualify for the ERA title with 162 or more innings, although the downside is that one of them is Rick Porcello...

Both are ahead of the Brewers with zero. Consider yourself lucky.

Zach Davies needs 12 more innings, but has been averaging less than 5 innings per start.