Eight
Member
I think there’s a difference between positioning a player and shifting a defense.
If the shift was just being employed against a few hitters, like it once was against David Ortiz, it would be one thing.
But shift usage has grown exponentially since then.
In 2010 there were 2,400 total shifts in MLB.
In 2016, there 24,464 shifts.
In 2021, there were 55,595 shifts.
how are pinching the middle infielders so they can get to the bag and make it easier to turn a double play different than moving your short stop behind second and your second baseman out to shallow right?
both situations will involve pitching to the batter in such a way as trying to induce them to hit the ball where the defense wants it and has positioned its fielders.
curious how many times with the winning run at third with less than 2 outs a manager will bring his infield in to the edge of the grass?
seems to be situational defense that has evolved to counter the way hitting to some extent has de-evolved