Marlins to buck longstanding MLB norm with how pitchers prepare for games

New York Post - Mar 24th, 2025
Open on New York Post

The Miami Marlins have introduced an innovative method for preparing their starting pitchers by implementing 'Live Pitch Design Sessions,' where pitchers throw live batting practice instead of holding traditional bullpen sessions. This method was initially tested in the latter part of last season within the Dominican Summer League and the Complex League. It is now being expanded across all levels, including the Major League, starting from spring training. While participation in these sessions is not mandatory, all starting pitchers, including ace Sandy Alcántara, have been participating. The Marlins believe this approach enhances pitcher focus and command while providing reserve hitters with more live at-bats.

Despite anticipations of criticism and pushback for deviating from traditional practices, the Marlins are committed to this approach as part of their rebuilding strategy. The team is not publicly commenting on the policy, but they hope this method will prove beneficial in the long run. By creating a more game-like environment during practice, the Marlins aim to better prepare their pitchers for the actual game scenarios, potentially giving them a competitive edge. This strategy signifies the team's willingness to innovate and adapt, reflecting broader trends in sports where teams explore new techniques to gain advantages.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.2
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article presents an intriguing story about the Marlins' innovative training method, but it falls short in several areas. While the topic is timely and potentially interesting to baseball fans, the reliance on unnamed sources and lack of detailed evidence weakens its accuracy and credibility. The article's balance is limited by the absence of diverse perspectives, and its transparency suffers from insufficient disclosure of sources and methodology. Despite its clarity and readability, the story's potential impact and engagement are constrained by its lack of depth and exploration of the broader implications of the new training approach. Overall, the article provides a starting point for discussion but requires further verification and exploration to fully assess its significance.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story presents several factual claims that appear to be accurate but require further verification. The claim that the Marlins are changing their pitcher preparation method by implementing 'Live Pitch Design Sessions' at various levels, including the majors, is a central point. However, the story relies on unnamed sources for several key pieces of information, such as the participation of ace Sandy Alcántara and the anticipation of criticism from the team. The lack of direct quotes or public statements from team officials like Peter Bendix, who declined to comment, creates a gap in verifiability. The story's accuracy would benefit from data or evidence supporting the claimed benefits of the new method, such as improved pitcher focus and command.

6
Balance

The article provides a one-sided perspective by primarily focusing on the Marlins' internal decision to change their pitcher preparation method. It lacks a range of viewpoints, such as opinions from players, coaches, or analysts outside the organization who might offer critical insights into the potential effectiveness or drawbacks of the new approach. The story mentions anticipated criticism but does not provide specific examples or counterarguments, which would help balance the narrative by presenting possible concerns or alternative strategies.

8
Clarity

The article is generally clear and easy to read, with a straightforward structure that outlines the main points effectively. The language is neutral and concise, making the information accessible to readers. However, the lack of detailed explanations or supporting evidence for the claims made could leave readers with unanswered questions about the practical implications of the new training method. Providing more context or examples would enhance understanding.

5
Source quality

The story relies heavily on unnamed sources, which weakens the reliability and credibility of the information presented. While it claims to have learned details from 'The Post,' the absence of direct quotes or identifiable sources limits the ability to assess the authority and potential biases of the information providers. The refusal of Peter Bendix to comment publicly is noted, but without corroborating sources or evidence, the story's foundation remains somewhat shaky.

5
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of the methodology used to gather information. It does not disclose how the unnamed sources are connected to the Marlins organization or the credibility of 'The Post' as a source. Additionally, there is no explanation of the potential conflicts of interest that might affect the reporting. The story would benefit from greater disclosure of the basis for its claims and the context in which the information was obtained.

Sources

  1. https://briancain.com/blog/the-number-one-drill-you-can-do-to-develop-mentally-tough-pitchers.html
  2. https://www.drivelinebaseball.com/2020/05/pitching-programming-starters-vs-relievers/
  3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkMc9N_luFg
  4. https://www.gaynorstrength-pitching.com/blog/prepitchroutine
  5. https://www.dominatethediamond.com/blog/how-to-add-pitching-into-practice