Major League Baseball (MLB) is home to some of the best pitchers in the world. While the vast majority of them are right-handed, there are still a significant number of left-handed pitchers in the league. This article will explore the current number of left-handed pitchers in the MLB, as well as the history of left-handed pitching in the league.
History of Left-Handed Pitching in the MLB
Left-handed pitching has been around since the very first professional baseball league in the United States, the National League, was established in 1876. Back then, the majority of teams had a couple of left-handed pitchers on the roster. As the game evolved, the number of left-handed pitchers began to decline until it reached a low in the late 1950s. This was due to the fact that the majority of managers and coaches preferred to use right-handed pitchers, and many left-handed pitchers were forced to switch to a right-handed throwing motion.
It wasn’t until the 1960s that the trend began to reverse, and the number of left-handed pitchers began to increase once again. This was due in part to the increased popularity of the slider, a pitch that could be more easily thrown by a left-handed pitcher. As the years went by, more and more left-handed pitchers were recruited to the big leagues, and left-handed pitchers eventually became just as common as right-handed pitchers.
Current Number of Left-Handed Pitchers in the MLB
Today, the number of left-handed pitchers in the MLB is at an all-time high. According to a study conducted by the MLB in 2020, there are currently more than 330 left-handed pitchers in the league. This is an increase of more than 25% since the turn of the century.
Left-Handed Pitchers by Team
While the overall number of left-handed pitchers in the MLB is high, there is still a significant disparity between the number of left-handed pitchers on individual teams. The teams with the most left-handed pitchers are the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers, who both have more than 20 left-handed pitchers on their rosters. On the other hand, the teams with the lowest number of left-handed pitchers are the Kansas City Royals, the Miami Marlins, and the Washington Nationals, who all have less than 10 left-handed pitchers on their rosters.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are currently more than 330 left-handed pitchers in the MLB. This is an increase of more than 25% since the turn of the century, and the number of left-handed pitchers on individual teams varies significantly. As the game continues to evolve, there is no doubt that the number of left-handed pitchers in the MLB will continue to rise.