Juiced Baseballs: Are 2019 MLB Stats a Joke?

I've fully acknowledged the proof that the ball is different. I also have little doubt that MLB has a hand in it.

That said, I find myself struggling to feel outrage over this. Pitcher velocities are up and they are now better at spinning a baseball probably than ever before. The juiced ball doesn't strike me as any less scandalous than lowering the mound to help hitters. The hitting side of the game has struggled to keep up with intellectual/technological advancements of the pitching and defense sides in the past decade. Using this approach to even the field is shrewd, but it's not the worst thing Manfred could have done to the game. 

Also, as Max Scherzer said, it's not unfair. There's an absence of some players cheating over others like in the PED days.

I'm happy to be convinced that I should feel outrage over this. But as I said, I'm struggling.
 

How does the changed baseball impact the pitched ball? If it travels farther when hit, does that also mean the pitchers can throw it harder, faster, with more break, etc.?

I am on the "joke" side of things.  There is no doubt the baseball has changed the game.  College was complaining about different results made it hard to evaluate players for the big leagues.  Changing to MLB baseballs increased their home run rate also.

For me watching baseball where a batter either hits a home run or strikes out is boring.  No strategy.  Every game is just a home run derby.  It is emphasized even more with the shift.  Players do not try to get on base and hit singles in the hole.  They still swing for the home runs.

I understand people want to see scoring.  They get bored with a 1-0 pitchers duel.  They would much rather see a 12-10 slugfest.  Butt is sad when you think players like Rod Carew and Tony Gwynn might not even be able to make a team now with the state of baseball.

I guess, so what?  Are we scrapping the mid 80's thru 2006 for the steroid ERA?

Those stats matter, depending on your opinion.  If these balls are impacting the game negatively MLB will eventually make the adjustments.

I have serious "juiced ball" fatigue right now.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/09/sports/baseball/mlb-baseballs-juiced.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_190710?campaign_id=2&instance_id=10739&segment_id=15062&user_id=df677009e65a80ff046d9aedfdc120f5&regi_id=275511920710

The New York Times also talked about this with a lot of quotes from Verlander, but also a quote from Odorizzi who has a take on the situation: "“If there’s something that’s potentially altering that, just come out and say it,” Odorizzi said. “I think, as players, we’ve gotten to the point now where we’ve accepted it."

Scherzer - "“With the ball changing as much as it has over the past handful of years, the players have had no say in that whatsoever,” Scherzer said. “We’re left, as players, wondering why the ball can change that much, that fast, and have that big of a result.”

Sabathia has a different perspective - 

The active leader in home runs allowed, the Yankees’ C.C. Sabathia, said he was not concerned about the trend but did see a downside to the modern all-or-nothing game.

“The ball is a little different — whether it’s the seams, it feels a little different in your hands,” said Sabathia, who was here to be saluted by the fans in Cleveland, where he started his 19-year career. “But I enjoy offense. I want to see runs scored, and my kids love it. The thing is, though, there’s not a lot of contact on some of these teams. So it’s either home run or strikeout, and it’s kind of hard to watch.”

I have posted many times that I miss the stolen bases, bunts, hit and run style of baseball.  If we want to eliminate the shift, run the bases and force them to cover their area.  

Somehow the ball has to be uniform year to year.  The HR has lost its luster.  I go on ESPN to see game highlights and all I get is HR swings and tracking the ball.  I want to see close plays on the bases, hustle, and heads up playing.  In the fielding highlights how often is it an outfielder grabbing a ball that is going over the fence?

Yes I want a few less homers, more Arraez getting on base, Buxton stealing, Polanco hit and run.

I'm not outraged...but it's not helping the quality of the game...in case this was a deliberate act, it was the wrong one, IMO.

I do wonder, however...is this significant enough to be resulting in 'false' evaluations of players at the AAA and MLB level? Yes, we're getting false results in absolute terms, but I'm talking about relative terms. Is there a player (or type/profile) out there that is benefiting dis-proportionally from this? If the 2020 ball immediately goes back to 'average' in terms of drag...are there certain players that immediately become materially less valuable relative to average/replacement? I wonder if this type of possibility is even on FO radars?

107% with Mikelink on the desire for actual baseball to be played. Great SS's, speed, steals, hustle doubles, and hold unto your Nick Punto bobblehead and occasional squeeze bunt. Sooner or later fans will tire of watching the Jason Castros of the world hit 20 dongs in a season. HR's will become yesterday's singles. As for the ball? It does seem that according to the people who throw it and hit it every day, it has changed. And, if MLB wants to change the ball, they can. It's their league, and their gazillions of dollars floating around it. But then don't let the Manferd (sp) stand there and tell us it isn't any different. That's insulting.

I think the lack of consistency is a joke. But, I’m not overly offended by the way the game is this year, it’s actually fun to watch.

What I mean about lack of consistency is, think about a player like Joe Mauer for instance. Let him play with that ball for a couple of years in the Dome and eventually TF. Remember how many opposite field fly balls were caught on the warning track in his career? Literally hundreds.

It’s not out of bounds to assume he would’ve had dozens of home runs, at least, added to his career stat line, thus making him a first ballot hall of famer and one of the greatest catchers of all-time (he’s an afterthought nationwide).

As a fan, sure it’s fine. But you can’t tell me this doesn’t upset players who didn’t get the benefit. Certain players it may have even cost millions of dollars and who knows how many accolades (some players benefit from this more than others). It offers no reasonable comparison between a player now and a player in the past, which is part of the fun of being a lifelong fan of the game.

Basically, it’s fun to watch. But, in a way, it throws the history and nostalgia of baseball out the window. It’s even on a greater scale than Bonds/Big Mac. By appearances, a few players were out of whack back then. But, when dozens of guys hit 40+ home runs (which may happen this year), it dilutes it even more. All context in terms of baseball for us middle-aged and older fans know is all but gone.

Frankly, it’s kind of joke that the Twins and Yankees this year may be considered the best offenses of all time based on stats. Deep down, any reasonable baseball man knows that’s false (some of the Indians and Mariners teams of the 90s alone blow them away, IMO).

How does the changed baseball impact the pitched ball? If it travels farther when hit, does that also mean the pitchers can throw it harder, faster, with more break, etc.?

A ball with less drag will travel farther and faster whether thrown or batted. It will break less.

I am on the "joke" side of things.  There is no doubt the baseball has changed the game.  College was complaining about different results made it hard to evaluate players for the big leagues.  Changing to MLB baseballs increased their home run rate also.

For me watching baseball where a batter either hits a home run or strikes out is boring.  No strategy.  Every game is just a home run derby.  It is emphasized even more with the shift.  Players do not try to get on base and hit singles in the hole.  They still swing for the home runs.

I understand people want to see scoring.  They get bored with a 1-0 pitchers duel.  They would much rather see a 12-10 slugfest.  Butt is sad when you think players like Rod Carew and Tony Gwynn might not even be able to make a team now with the state of baseball.

You mean players like Luis Arraez?