How Many Submarine Pitchers Are In The MLB? Unpacking This Rare Delivery
Baseball, a sport full of unique styles and amazing talent, truly showcases a wide array of ways players approach the game. Among the many fascinating aspects, the art of pitching stands out, and within that, you find some truly distinct deliveries. One such style, quite special and sometimes puzzling for hitters, is the submarine pitch. So, you might wonder, how many submarine pitchers are in the MLB today? It's a question that gets people talking, and for good reason, because this kind of pitcher is a rather uncommon sight on the mound.
This particular pitching style, where the ball is let go often just above the ground, creates a very different angle of attack compared to what most batters usually see. It's a delivery that can make the ball move in unexpected ways, causing all sorts of trouble for those trying to hit it squarely. In a way, it adds a bit of mystery and a lot of challenge to the game, and that's precisely why fans and players alike find these pitchers so interesting.
Understanding the presence of these unique arms in Major League Baseball means looking at their history, their special qualities, and what makes them such a distinct part of the sport's fabric. We will, you know, explore why they are not as common as other types of pitchers and what kind of impact they tend to have when they do step onto the field. This article will help you get a better sense of this particular pitching method and its place in the game.
Table of Contents
- What Makes a Submarine Pitcher Unique?
- The History of Submarine Pitching in MLB
- How Many Submarine Pitchers Are in the MLB Today?
- Submarine Pitchers in Video Games
- Frequently Asked Questions About Submarine Pitchers
What Makes a Submarine Pitcher Unique?
When we talk about a submarine pitcher, we're really talking about a style that stands apart. It's not just a little different; it's, you know, quite a distinctive way to throw a baseball. The whole idea centers on how the pitcher lets go of the ball, which is what truly sets them apart from the rest of the pitchers in the game.
The Unusual Release Point
A submarine delivery means the ball is released, quite often, just above the ground. This isn't your typical overhand or even sidearm throw. Instead, the pitcher's arm arc is very low, almost scraping the dirt as they deliver the pitch. This low release point creates a very different trajectory for the ball, making it, you know, appear to rise or sink in ways that can be really confusing for a batter trying to connect.
This unique angle, you see, is what gives submarine pitchers their special edge. The ball comes at the hitter from an unexpected place, making it hard to track. It’s a bit like trying to hit a moving target that's coming from a place you don't usually expect. That, in a way, is why these pitchers can be so effective, especially against certain types of hitters.
Why They're a Rare Sight
You don't, in fact, see many submarine pitchers in the MLB, and there are some good reasons for that. This delivery is quite specialized and takes a lot of practice and a particular body type to master. It's not something just any pitcher can pick up easily. Mastering the art of submarine pitching in baseball is, you know, akin to sculpting a masterpiece—it requires time, patience, and a deep commitment to honing one’s craft.
Another reason for their rarity is that, as a class, submarine pitchers tend to have huge platoon splits. This means they are often much more effective against batters of one handedness (like right-handed hitters) than against others (like left-handed hitters), or vice versa. The angle at which they release the ball is, you know, much easier for some hitters to pick up than for others, depending on their batting stance and eye level.
The History of Submarine Pitching in MLB
The story of submarine pitching, in a way, goes back a long time in baseball's past. It's not a new invention, but rather a style that has seen its moments of popularity and then, you know, periods where it was less common. Understanding its journey helps us see why it's such a unique part of the game today.
Early Days and Underhand Throws
It's interesting to think that when organized baseball first came about, pitchers were only allowed to throw underhand. This, you know, was the original way to pitch, and while it wasn't exactly a submarine delivery as we know it today, it laid some of the groundwork for low-arm slot deliveries. The game has certainly changed a lot since then, allowing for more varied pitching styles, including the distinct submarine motion.
Submarine pitchers, it seems, became more prevalent around the time relief pitchers became more prevalent. As teams started to rely more on pitchers coming out of the bullpen to finish games or get out of tough spots, there was more room for specialized deliveries that could throw hitters off balance for an inning or two. This shift in strategy, you know, helped create opportunities for these unique arms.
Notable Submarine Greats
Over the years, a few submarine pitchers have really made a name for themselves, showing just how effective this style can be. These players, you know, demonstrated incredible durability and skill, proving that throwing from down low can lead to great success.
Kent Tekulve and Gene Garber, two former submarine pitchers, were among the most durable pitchers in baseball history, with a combined 1,944 appearances in their careers. That's, you know, a lot of innings and a lot of games where they came in to get outs. Their longevity speaks volumes about the effectiveness and, perhaps, the less strenuous nature of the submarine motion on the arm, at least for some.
Then there's Dan Quisenberry, best known for his submarine delivery, who was baseball's dominant closer of the early 1980s. He attended La Verne College and, in 1975, began his journey to the big leagues. His unique pitching style made him, you know, a real force to be reckoned with, consistently shutting down opposing offenses when the game was on the line.
How Many Submarine Pitchers Are in the MLB Today?
The question of "how many" is a bit tricky, as the exact number can, you know, fluctuate from season to season. There isn't a huge number of them, that's for sure. They remain a rather rare commodity in the big leagues, often valued for their unusual approach to getting outs.
The Current Landscape
As of today, you know, you won't find dozens of submarine pitchers on every team's roster. They are still considered quite unique, and teams that have one often use them in specific situations to maximize their effectiveness. Their craft, which is, you know, a bit of a throwback to earlier baseball, continues to be something special.
The focus is mainly on MLB, but other posts about other leagues and levels are, you know, welcome. This shows that while the big leagues are where we look for the top talent, these pitching styles exist at all levels of baseball, too. The number of submarine pitchers in the MLB is not fixed, but it's always a small, select group of hurlers who have mastered this particular art. You can, for instance, often check a well-known baseball statistics site for current player rosters and pitching styles to see who is active right now. Learn more about current MLB stats on a well-known baseball statistics site.
Challenges and Effectiveness
Even though they are few, submarine pitchers can be surprisingly effective. Their unique delivery can add a new dimension to a team's pitching staff, offering a look that hitters don't often see. This makes them, you know, a valuable asset, especially in relief roles where they might only face a few batters.
The challenge, however, is that while they can be very good, their effectiveness can also be quite specific. As mentioned, the huge platoon splits mean that they might struggle against batters who are comfortable hitting against their unique angle. It's a balance of risk and reward, but when it works, it really, you know, works well. The technique is, in fact, one of the best for disrupting a batter's timing.
Submarine Pitchers in Video Games
It's not just in real life that submarine pitchers get attention; they're also a big hit in baseball video games. For many players, getting to use or face these unique arms adds a whole new layer of fun and strategy to the virtual diamond. This, you know, makes the game feel more real and exciting.
A Fun Choice for Players
Submarine pitchers in MLB The Show 23 have captivated players, and their unique pitching style makes them, you know, a fun choice for many. The community shares varied opinions, but generally, players enjoy the challenge and distinctiveness they bring. They're a blast to play with in MLB The Show 24, and they’re surprisingly effective, at least in my experience. It’s a fun way to change things up if you’re, you know, looking for something different.
These pitchers offer a new dimension to gameplay. For someone who has played so many video games that we knew all their mechanics, the addition of submarine and sidearm pitchers makes things, you know, fresh. They are some of the most effective pitchers in MLB The Show 25, too, adding a strategic element that keeps players on their toes.
Battling the Unique Delivery
On the other side of the coin, facing a submarine pitcher in a video game can be quite difficult. There aren't many submarine pitchers in MLB The Show 22, but those with submariner or sidearm pitching motions can be, you know, difficult to combat. Their rare pitching style can add a new dimension to your gameplay, both when you're using them and when you're trying to hit against them.
It requires a different approach at the plate, forcing players to adjust their timing and swing. This challenge, you know, makes the game more engaging and rewards players who can adapt. It's a testament to how well these unique deliveries are translated into the virtual world, making them as impactful there as they are in real baseball.
Frequently Asked Questions About Submarine Pitchers
Are submarine pitchers more prone to injuries?
While it might seem like a low-arm slot could be harder on the body, the provided text doesn't, you know, directly say that submarine pitchers are more prone to injuries. In fact, it highlights examples like Kent Tekulve and Gene Garber, who were among the most durable pitchers in baseball history. This suggests that for some, this delivery can actually be quite sustainable over a long career, perhaps even less stressful on certain parts of the arm compared to other motions. It seems, you know, to depend a lot on the individual pitcher and their mechanics.
Do submarine pitchers only throw fastballs?
The text talks about the unique angle and how it affects the ball's movement, but it doesn't, you know, limit submarine pitchers to only throwing fastballs. The distinct release point means that any pitch they throw will have an unusual movement profile. So, while they might rely on their fastball's unique movement, they can also throw breaking balls and off-speed pitches that take on a very different look because of that low arm slot. It's the angle, you know, that makes all their pitches different.
Why are submarine pitchers so hard to hit?
Submarine pitchers are hard to hit primarily because of the unexpected angle from which the ball is released, often just above the ground. This, you know, creates a trajectory that batters are not used to seeing. The text mentions that the angle at which they release the ball is much easier for some hitters to pick up than others, leading to huge platoon splits. This means the ball can appear to rise or sink in ways that defy a batter's typical expectations, making it very difficult to track and make solid contact. It's, you know, a visual trick as much as a physical one. You can learn more about pitching mechanics on our site, and also link to this page for more baseball insights.
All Sidearm And Submarine Pitchers in MLB The Show 25 - Operation Sports
All Submarine Pitchers in MLB The Show 23 | The Nerd Stash
10 best submarine pitchers in MLB history - Franchise Sports
