What Is the Pinch Hitter in Baseball?
A pinch hitter is a substitute batter for a regular position player in baseball. For every game, a manager submits a lineup of 9 batters. Those batters must hit in the same position throughout the game. Managers often pinch hit for regular players in the late innings if their team is trailing. The strategy behind using a pinch hitter is they might be more likely to have better success against the pitcher rather than the regular hitter. Managers keep stats on how their batters hit against pitchers. If a pinch hitter performs better against a certain pitcher, the manager can substitute for the regular position player. Sometimes a pinch hitter will come into the game, bat and return to the bench. Other times, a pinch hitter could stay in the game, playing in the field. Below is a detailed look at the evolution of the pinch hitter in baseball.
History of Pinch Hitters
Mickey Welch was primarily known as a standout pitcher with the New York Gothams and Giants in the 1880’s and 1890’s. Welch’s best season was in 1885 when he finished 44-11 with the Giants.
In 1889, Welch made history for a different reason. He became the first ever pinch hitter, batting for his injured Giants’ teammate, Hank O’Day, and striking out. Because rosters were smaller and players were expected to play every game, pinch hitters were rarely used before the turn of the century. Pinch hitting strategy changed over the years as rosters expanded and play became more specialized.
When Are Pinch Hitters Used?
For years, many teams had designated pinch hitter specialists. The primary purpose for designated pinch hitter specialists was to come off the bench, usually late in the game, to try to get a hit or get on base. They usually batted for the pitcher. Though there were some very good-hitting pitchers, they tended to be less successful at the plate because they didn’t play every day, which meant they wouldn’t get the same number of at-bats as a regular position player. Because of the designated hitter in both leagues, pitchers no longer regularly bat. The American League has had the DH since 1973 while the National League adopted it in 2022. Most high school and all college teams used a DH. When the DH was introduced, there wasn’t a “weaker” hitter in the lineup anymore.
Even with the DH in both leagues, pinch hitting is rising, up from 1.87% of all batters through most of 2022 to 2.04% of all batters in 2023. Part of the reason for the increase is that managers have so much statistical information available to them that they can “play the odds” and try to get a better matchup against a certain pitcher with a hitter. In post-season play, a pinch hitter might come into the game earlier because the stakes are much higher. Designated pinch hitters have faded away. Managers tend to get the best matchups based on statistical information when deciding on a pinch hitter. Below are some situations where pinch hitters are often used.
End of Game: A manager often uses a pinch hitter when their team is trailing or tied in the late innings of a game. A pinch hitter’s job is to get on base either with a hit or a walk. Their job is to “keep an inning alive.” That means they need to avoid making an out.
To Start an Inning: Sometimes, a manager uses a pinch hitter at the beginning of an inning, often if their team trails by multiple runs, usually later in the game. In this situation, the pinch hitter’s job is to start a rally by getting on base.
Injury: If a player in the lineup gets injured or is sick, the manager must go to their bench for a pinch hitter.
Specialist: A manager might call on a pinch hitter to do something very specific, like bunt or hit the ball to the right side if a runner is on first base. Another type of specialist is a power hitter. If a team needs a home run, the manager might use their strongest hitter on the bench to pinch hit. For instance, if a team is trailing by 2 runs and there are 2 runners on base, a manager could be inserting someone into the lineup who’s more likely to hit a homer.
Pinch hitting is one of the hardest roles in baseball to excel at. Batters must come off the bench cold, often against a very good relief pitcher who is fresh. The odds of succeeding are low. Some players, however, develop a skill for figuring out how to hit in difficult situations with the game close. Today, teams don’t necessarily have pinch hit specialists. Managers use players off the bench who best fit the situation.
Tips for Players Wanting to Be a Good Pinch Hitter
You can learn to be a good pinch hitter. All it takes is attention to detail and a willingness to want to succeed in a clutch situation.
Aggressiveness: The clock is ticking for pinch hitters when they come to the plate. They don’t always have time to wait for their pitch. Because they’re often hitting against their opponent’s best relief pitcher, a pinch hitter sometimes swings at the first pitch.
Studious: A pinch hitter should know the tendencies of every pitcher they face. How does their fastball break? What’s their curve ball like? Where do they typically make mistakes with their pitches? Good pinch hitters know exactly what kind of pitches they’ll face when they get to the plate.
Mental Toughness: Pinch hitters must be willing to make the at-bat last as long as possible in certain situations. That means they might have to foul off 6 or 8 pitches before they find one they like. It’s their job to be patient if they don’t have success early.
The pinch-hitting role is multifaceted. To be a good pinch hitter, you must accept failure and be resilient. Most of the time you won’t get a hit, and often you won’t get on base. But the best pinch hitters always come into the game with a clear expectation of trying to keep the game alive for their team. There’s nothing more dramatic than a pinch hit that wins the game in the 9th inning. Pinch hitters live for the scenario where they can win a game with their bat.