Use more pitchers?

In late February, I was browsing on Twitter and a tweet drew my attention. The tweet is about MLB's plan to drop the maximum number of 13 pitchers per team to 12. Well, the MLB is considering it and it’s still unclear if this change will happen. However, when I read this tweet, I was just thinking about a question.

 

In the 2023 season, how many pitchers did each team actually use? To understand a little bit more, I decided to check on the great baseball reference website.

 

Last year, 3 teams each used at least 40 pitchers during the regular season. The Oakland Athletics used 41 pitchers in the 2023 season. JP Sears led the A’s with 172.1 innings. However, his ERA was over 4.50 last season. And 3 other pitchers each tossed 100+ innings for the A’s. The A’s had a 5.48 ERA, which was the highest in the AL. Moreover, the Rays and the Reds each used 40 pitchers last season. Nonetheless, there’s a difference in their performances. The Rays pitching staff had a 3.86 ERA and the Reds’ ERA was over 4.80. These 2 teams each had 4 pitchers who threw at least 100 innings. Zach Eflin made 31 starts and tossed 177.2 innings for the Rays in 2023. Eflin owned a 3.50 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP. In the Reds, Graham Ashcraft made 26 starts and threw 145.2 innings.

In addition, 9 teams each used fewer than 30 pitchers last year. In particular, we have to take a look at the Astros and the Giants. These 2 teams each used only 24 pitchers during the regular season. Framber Valdez made 31 starts for the Astros, tossing 198 innings with a 3.45 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. In the Astros, 3 other pitchers each threw at least 130 innings in 2023. Moreover, Logan Webb led the majors with 216 innings last year. Furthermore, Alex Cobb and Sean Manaea each ate at least 100 innings for the Giants.

Well, most teams used 30+ pitchers last season. The Brewers had a 3.71 ERA, best among 30 MLB teams. They used 34 pitchers during the regular season. Corbin Burnes tossed 193.2 innings last year and 4 other pitchers each threw 100+ innings for the Brewers. Meanwhile, the San Diego Padres owned a 3.73 ERA and they used 30 pitchers. Blake Snell, who won the 2023 NL Cy Young award, led the Padres with 180 innings. 4 other pitchers each tossed at least 100 innings for the Padres in 2023. At the same time, the Rockies finished the season with an ERA of 5.67. They used 34 pitchers as the Brewers did. Nonetheless, only 2 pitchers tossed 100+ innings for the Rockies in 2023.

As we can see, each team has different methods to use pitchers. Some teams have pitchers who are dominant and can toss 200+ innings in a single season. They don’t have to use so many pitchers during the regular season. Nevertheless, some teams used many pitchers last year. The 2024 season has already kicked off. How to effectively use pitching staff is always a top priority for all 30 MLB teams. In the 2024 season, is it still possible to see a team use fewer than 25 pitchers?