In the MLB, pitch counts are closely monitored and pitchers are often pulled from games even if they are still effective. This is due to the concern of arm injuries, which can be career-ending for pitchers.
In college, however, pitch counts are not as strictly enforced. This is because college pitchers are often younger and less experienced than their MLB counterparts. They are also not as valuable to their teams, as they are not under contract and can be replaced by another pitcher if they get injured.
As a result, college pitchers are often allowed to throw more pitches than their MLB counterparts. This can lead to some pitchers throwing upwards of 150 pitches in a game.
There are some concerns about the long-term effects of this high-pitch usage on college pitchers. However, for now, it seems that college coaches are willing to take the risk in order to win games.
Here are some examples of college pitchers who have thrown a lot of pitches in recent years
- Quinn Mathews of Stanford threw 156 pitches in an NCAA Super Regional game in 2022.
- Tanner Hall of Southern Mississippi threw 123 pitches in a regional game in 2023.
- Paul Skenes of LSU threw 120 pitches in a game in 2023.
These are just a few examples, and there are many other college pitchers who have thrown a lot of pitches in recent years. It will be interesting to see how these pitchers’ arms hold up in the long run.
Only time will tell whether the high-pitch usage of college pitchers will have any long-term effects. However, for now, it seems that college coaches are willing to take the risk in order to win games.
