Do MLB Pitchers Miss Hitting? Gerrit Cole & Max Fried Give Honest Answer

Remember when pitchers used to step up to the plate and swing the bat? That all changed with the universal designated hitter (DH) rule. Now, pitchers never have to hit.

But do they actually miss it?

A recent scene in the Yankees’ clubhouse answers that question. After his start, pitcher Max Fried was seen rushing to put his cleats and jersey back on. That’s Why? He didn’t want to miss his turn to take batting practice with his team members.

This wasn’t for the game. It was just for fun. And it shows just how much some pitchers truly love to hit.

For many pitchers, hitting wasn’t just an annoying chore. It was a beloved part of the game.

What Yankees Pitchers Are Saying

Max Fried, who was an excellent hitter in the National League before coming to the Yankees, didn’t hold back. “I loved hitting,” he said. “It was one of the highlights of my career, being able to do it every fifth day.”

He even talked about the thrill of getting a big hit. “There’s nothing like the feeling of helping your own cause and driving in a run,” Fried explained. “It’s a different feeling than pitching. It’s a different adrenaline rush.”

Star pitcher Gerrit Cole is getting better from injury, but he still remembers the fun. He is not hitting now, but he said it feels like being a kid when he hits a home run in practice.

For players, batting practice is not only about hitting balls. It’s also for fun and friendship. They laugh, joke, and pitchers get to feel like normal players too.

Pitcher Cody Poteet said, ‘It helps the team. We get to see what the hitters do every day.’

The DH rule will stay, but this story shows the sweet side of baseball. It tells us that even great players love the simple things, like hitting a few balls with friends.

Sources:

• MLB.com

• New York Yankees Clubhouse Interviews

• ESPN Baseball Coverage