MLB to test three new significant rule changes in Atlantic League

"We thank the Atlantic League for their continued partnership," MLB vice president of baseball operations Morgan Sword said in a statement, via MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince. "In recent years, the ALPB's experimental rules have aimed to emphasize athleticism, improved pace of play and other means of giving fans the game they want to see. We are excited for another great season of Atlantic League baseball and the entertainment that it will bring to fans."

The designated pinch runner rule allows a team to use one player off the bench to run the bases in any situation. The substituted player and the runner can re-enter the game without being penalized.

This rule will coincide with MLB's addition of the new larger bases and likely lead to increased stolen base rates, which have already risen this season.

The least drastic revision is the single disengagement rule, another idea to generate more stolen bases. This rule prohibits pitchers from stepping off the rubber more than once per at-bat for a pitch clock reset or a pick-off attempt.

MLB has already implemented a version of the pitching disengagement rule for the 2023 season, though a pitcher is limited to stepping off the mound twice during an at-bat. 

The "double-hook" designated hitter rule, used by the ALPB last season, has sparked the most controversy. The rule will force teams to lose their DH if the starting pitcher fails to throw at least five innings. In that situation, the pitcher's spot would bat in place of the DH for the remainder of the game.

In essence, it seems that the "double-hook" is an attempt to restrict teams from using relief pitchers as "openers," but it feels unneeded and a potential issue waiting to happen. The obvious concern that arises is what will happen in the event that a pitcher gets injured before the fifth inning.

Clearly, MLB is determined to continue speeding up the game with these bold new initiatives. Despite some mishaps, this season's implemented changes have largely achieved MLB's objective.

Last week, ESPN reported that the average game time is down 31 minutes, putting it on pace to be the shortest since 1984. Additionally, the league-wide batting average is up to .249, the highest since 2019, primarily due to the restrictions on the infield shift and the faster pace of play.

In comparison to the other latest ALPB rules under examination, the "double-hook" appears to be the least likely to be incorporated into the majors, or at least it should be. Although the DH's replacement would likely be a legitimate hitter, benches would eventually run out, forcing a pitcher to take an at-bat, defeating the universal DH's purpose. 

It'll likely take time before these changes reach MLB, if at all, but they'll go into effect in ALPB play when it begins its season on April 28.