In case any fantasy managers are not aware, several rule changes are heading for baseball in 2023. Those rule changes will certainly have an impact on pitchers and hitters in the coming season. Just how big an impact remains to be seen. Even so, if managers don’t factor in those changes, they will be behind the curve the entire upcoming season. In this fantasy baseball rule changes impact edition, we will examine what the changes are and how players they will be affected.

Rule Change One: Pitch Clock

Never before in the history of the major leagues has a pitch clock been used. That changes in a big way in 2023. Simply stated, the rule is now pitchers have 15 seconds to throw their pitch with the bases empty. Once a runner reaches base, the clock moves to 20 seconds.

Hitters are also affected, as they will have eight seconds on the pitch clock to be in the batter’s box. Penalties for violating the rule are simple: a ball is called on the pitcher and a strike is called on the hitter for exceeding the time on the clock.

The obvious reason for this change is shorten the length of major league games. The average time for a game lasting nine innings in 2022 was three hours, four minutes. Actually, that is a six-minute dip from the previous year. However, the length of games had been steadily increasing since crossing the three-hour mark in 2014.

Simply stated, baseball wants to speed up the game and have a faster pace of play.

The Impact on Fantasy Baseball

While the rule change will affect actual baseball, the impact on fantasy should be minimal, if any. Once players get used to the change, they will go about their business as usual.

Rule Change Two: Pickoffs

In previous years, pitchers could throw to an occupied base in an attempt to pickoff the runner as many times as they liked. There is a big change coming in that area in 2023. Now, pitchers are only allowed to throw to a base or step off the rubber twice without penalty. Once a third attempt (or step-off) is made, if no out is recorded, the pitcher is charged with a balk, except for when a runner advances a base.

The Impact on Fantasy Baseball

The players with speed in major league baseball should be vastly affected by this rule change. Stolen bases have been on a step decline in recent years. Last season, Miami’s Jon Berti led the majors with 41 stolen bases. Additionally, only six players had 30 or more steals in 2022. Those stats are a far cry from the days of Rickey Henderson or Vince Coleman.

Expect those figures to rise in 2023. In category leagues, stolen bases are probably the most valuable of all commodities. Players with speed should be drafted earlier than they would have previously in all formats, but especially in category leagues.

Without question, this rule change will have one of the biggest effects on players this season. It certainly needs highlighting on this fantasy baseball rule changes impact edition.

Rule Change Three: Bigger Bases

Beginning this season, the bases will increase from 15 inches to 18 inches. The biggest reason for this change is for player safety. It is hoped that the bigger bases will prevent players from being spiked as they will be able to keep their foot further away from the crossing runner. Additionally, having bigger bases should positively impact the run game.

The Impact on Fantasy Baseball

How much the bigger bases will increase the running game is an unknown variable. However, as with the new pickoff rules, steals will unquestionably go up, increasing all speedsters’ value in fantasy. At the same time, infielders should see fewer injury concerns and therefore, be in the lineup more often. Both are positive outcomes, no doubt.

Rule Change Four: Banning the Shift

Clearly and unquestionably, this rule change will have the biggest effect on both hitters and pitchers than any listed above. In recent seasons, shifting the shortstop, and often the third baseman to the right side of second base has become common. At times, infielders have been stationed in short right field. Teams have been doing so because left-handed hitters at all levels simply refuse to even try and hit the ball the other way. A few that hit from the right have seen a shift, but for the most part, this strategy mainly affects players that hit from the left side.

The change in batting average on balls in play (BABIP) and the increase in strikeouts from 2012 to 2022 prove these shifts have had an enormous impact on hitters. The BABIP has decreased six points while strikeouts have ballooned to historic levels during those years. Instead of teaching lefties to hit the other way, baseball has changed the rule to benefit them.

This season, teams must have all four infielders on the dirt when a pitch is delivered and two have to be on each side of second base. None can be stationed in the outfield. Batted balls that were harmless outs in previous seasons have an increased chance of being base hits. Batting averages in 2023 for left-handed hitters should be the highest baseball has seen in many years.

The Impact on Fantasy Baseball

Simply stated, the impact of banning the shift will have on both pitchers and left-handed hitters can’t be over emphasized. The ball will be in play much more often. Batting averages will surely increase. Of course, if that happens, earned run averages will likewise have to go up. There will be more base runners. Add that to the changes above and stolen bases will increase. Strikeouts for pitchers and hitters will decrease.

All fantasy managers will have to ensure that whatever platform they are using takes this change into account in their projections for both pitches and hitters. The value of left-handed hitters will be higher than has been seen in a decade. Pitchers, already short in innings in recent years, will be on the mound less in 2023 because of more hitters coming to the plate.

Once everyone adjusts to the change, things should even out a bit. Even when that happens, the effect of the change will be noticeable throughout the year. When approaching the draft, taking left-handed hitters higher than in previous years is a smart strategy. In points leagues, hitters striking out shouldn’t be near as crippling as in the past. Pitchers, both starters and relievers, can be downgraded.

Perhaps a less obvious affect the rule change will have is on good hit, no range second baseman will have harder times making a roster. Keep that in mind when deciding which players to take later in drafts.

The Final Word

No doubt, all of the above is a lot for managers to get their heads around. With all of these changes, fantasy baseball should be very interesting indeed in 2023.

Thank you for joining me for this fantasy baseball rule changes impact edition! As always, I welcome any and all suggestions, comments and input from my readers. Let’s discuss! Follow me on twitter @kevin62wilsea. Please feel free to share this article. Be sure to turn to Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Fantasy for all the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL happenings and the latest sports news!