Yankees Strongly Backing Jonathan Loaisiga Despite Struggles With The New Pitch Lock Rule

Akshita Patel

2 years ago

Jonathan Loaisiga, the New York Yankees relief pitcher, is taking his time to adjust to the new pitch lock rule this season.

The MLB has introduced a new set of rules this season with the intent to bring more balance between the bat and the ball. One of the most crucial and talked about rules is the pitch lock rule. The pitch lock rule will limit the time a pitcher consumes in between pitches. The intention behind this rule is to speed up the game and prohibit the pitchers from wasting time on the mound.

Meanwhile, the pitchers are finding it a bit difficult to adjust to the new rule. We have seen glimpses in spring training wherein a violation of the pitch lock rule has led to a direct strikeout. On the other hand, the Yankees are fairly concerned about their relief pitcher, Jonathan Loaisiga, who is often referred to as the slowest pitcher on the mound.

Yankees Back Jonathan Loaisiga Despite Pitch Duration Issues

New York Yankees relief pitcher Jonathan Loaisiga hands the ball to manager Aaron Boone as he leaves during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Tuesday, May 10, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) (Frank Franklin II/AP)

Jonathan Loaisiga is one of the most promising young pitchers on the New York Yankees’ roster. Despite his potential, Loaisiga has had some difficulties in the past, particularly with his tempo on the mound. After a Covid hit 2021 season, the pitcher made a comeback in 2022. The first half was awful as he struggled to find the rhythm, and his in-between pitches time stayed at 19.8 seconds. However, Jonathan improved and reduced the time to 15 seconds.

Meanwhile, this season, the New York Yankees manager, Aaron Boone, is backing Jonathan Loaisiga to bounce back. In an interview, Boone said he looks outstanding in practice sessions. Further, the skipper added that his numbers last two seasons were impressive and hopes that he continues to bring it all together in 2023. On the other hand, Jonathan spoke on the issue and said he made various adjustments in his pitches and has managed to reduce the in-between time significantly. Moreover, the relief pitcher is not all worried by the new rule and is ready for the 2023 season.

Yanks Found A Unique Way To Tackle The Pitch Lock Rule

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JUNE 09: Matt Blake #77 of the New York Yankees talks to Gerrit Cole #45 and the rest of the infield during a mound visit after Cole gave up three solo home runs in a row against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning of the game at Target Field on June 9, 2022, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, a new plan is brewing in the New York Yankees camp to tackle the new pitch lock rule imposed by the MLB. As per Yanks’ pitching coach, Matt Blake, the team is using an external device to manage time. A device named PitchCom is being placed on the pitchers’ belts. Furthermore, the device will transmit signals to catchers via multiple buttons. All the pitcher has to do is press the desired button, and the catcher can pick up the signal through an earpiece.

However, a few pitchers in the Yankees camp are skeptical about the use of such external devices. While the use of this device is absolutely legal, the pitchers claimed that it disrupts the concentration and rhythm at the mound. Nonetheless, Matt Blake remains to rest assured that they will come around and will at least get a hand on it in spring training.