William Purnell-USA TODAY Sports
How Blue Jays Fielders Navigate PitchCom on Defense
TORONTO — PitchCom, as the name so subtly suggests, revolutionized pitching.
Dropping down one finger for a fastball is a thing of the past, as pitchers and catchers now exchange signals via transmitters on their gloves and belts. But, PitchCom's changed more than pitcher-catcher relations. It came for defense, too, and Blue Jays' fielders are split on it.
As of last year, MLB's rules allow three fielders, on top of the pitcher and catcher, to wear PitchCom receivers in their hats. With catchers no longer dropping finger signs, these receivers allow the fielders to know what pitch is coming and relay it to the rest of the defense.
For shortstops like Bo Bichette, not much has changed. In the past, infielders glanced in at their catcher's signs and discretely relayed the upcoming pitch to the rest of the defense. Bichette is still responsible for the same transmission of information, only now there's more certainty on exactly what pitch is coming and where it's intended to go: "Fastball, inside."
"It just gives like an idea of what might happen," Bichette said. "But it doesn't always translate."
Brandon Belt is a big fan of the device. The 1B/DH finds PitchCom on defense has made for "smoother and quicker communication." In the past, Belt would have to wait for signs relayed from the second baseman, and sometimes they’d come over too late for him to implement any pre-pitch movements.
Belt finds the device particularly helpful as a corner infielder. He's often standing less than 90 feet away from a screaming grounder. Knowing the pitch is going to be an inside changeup to a lefty hitter allows Belt to be extra-prepared for that yanked 100 MPH ball to first base.
“[Corner infielders] typically got a little less time to move," Belt said. "We got to be ready for the ball coming our way. So if I can move on off speed or something like that, it’s very helpful.”
Most teams give their three PitchCom receivers to middle infielders and either the third baseman or centerfielder. But, because of fielder preferences, Toronto rolls out the devices at shortstop, second, and first base.
Belt would happily defer to 3B or CF, if they wanted it, he said. But, Matt Chapman finds the receiver doesn't fit in his hat comfortably. The hot corner is also afraid he might lean before the pitch if he knew exactly where every delivery was heading, potentially tipping off the opposition.
Toronto's centerfielder, Kevin Kiermaier, just prefers to kick it old school. The outfielder tried out the PitchCom receiver with the Rays last season, but found it was more distracting than beneficial. Kiermaier feels "more engaged" when he doesn't know exactly what pitch is coming, he said.
“Last year with the Rays they’d go through six, seven different pitches and it would annoy me kind of," Kiermaier said. "‘God just pick a frickin pitch.’"
After standing out in center for 32 games this year, Kiermaier feels like he has a good idea of what Toronto's pitchers are trying to do. He'll make slight pre-pitch adjustments based on what he thinks is coming, but lets his speed and reaction time take care of the rest.
“I like trusting my instincts and just kind of being in the area where I feel most confident,” Kiermaier said.
Kiermaier certainly seems fine without a circuit board in his ear, as the 33-year-old currently ranks tied for MLB's 10th-best defender by Outs Above Average. But, Kiermaier also understands he's an outlier when it comes to PitchCom and knows the technological impacts on defense will only grow.
“It’s the new wave, it’s what everyone’s doing," Kiermaier said. "It’s here to stay."
