In recent decades, a monumental error has permeated the development of players in the Major Leagues. Players have even been signed professionally without knowing the basic rules or even knowing how to play baseball well. Don’t believe me? Just arrive at a baseball stadium early and see players who can’t field ground balls or hit to the opposite side.
This error, which possibly originated in the late 1980s and/or 1990s, has resulted in an overemphasis on the physical qualities of young players, relegating talent and intelligence to a secondary role. As dramatic and surprising as this may seem, it is unfortunately the case.
The MLB has fallen into the trap of valuing only the physical abilities of young prospects, especially those with a powerful arm or high velocity on their pitches. However, it has forgotten the most important aspects of athleticism: talent and game intelligence, also known as intelligence quotient (IQ).
IQ in sports is not limited to a person’s general cognitive ability, but refers specifically to tactical intelligence in the context of the game. It involves the ability to make quick and effective decisions, read the game, anticipate moves, and execute strategies that can influence the outcome of the game.
The problem is that MLB has placed too much emphasis on physical qualities to the detriment of talent and game intelligence. This mentality has led to a number of negative consequences, including an alarming increase in pitching injuries in recent years.
Studies conducted in the last decade show an increase of up to 30% in ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction surgeries, known as Tommy John surgery, due to partial or complete tears of the elbow ligament. This trend is worrying and has its roots in the baseball crisis of the 1990s. It was a decade marked by the steroid scandal, the 1994 work stoppage, and the short-sighted belief that throwing harder would be more spectacular (which it is) and more profitable (the current problem) in the development of young pitchers. The consequences of those operating methods are evident 20 or 30 years later.
At that time (the 1990s), MLB was obsessed with the spectacle of home runs and prioritized players with impressive physical abilities, without paying sufficient attention to their talent and playing ability. This mentality has persisted to the present day and is evident in the recruiting and talent development process.
Comparatively, other sports leagues such as the NBA and soccer have valued the importance of talent and intelligence in the game. NBA scouts don’t just look for players with great jumping ability; they also value ball control, game vision, passing ability, and other technical and tactical skills.
Similarly, in soccer, scouts don’t focus solely on a player’s shooting prowess (that would be absurd, right?) but rather evaluate their technical ability with the ball, game vision, strategic ability, ability to gravitate on the field without the ball, and other qualities that contribute to success on the field. Physical fitness isn’t the goal, but a fundamental requirement.
It’s time for MLB to reevaluate its approach to recruiting and developing talent. It’s crucial that it recognize—as it has since the invention of baseball—the importance of talent and intelligence in the game, and that these qualities be given equal value as physical skills, which are equally important, but not exclusive. Only then can we witness a baseball truly enriched by the diversity of talents and playing styles. The democratization of the game.
Without talent and intelligence, there will never be success
In an interview with former Major League Baseball pitcher Pedro Martínez, the Dominican expressed concern about the direction MLB talent development has taken. “It’s disheartening to see how fundamental aspects such as talent and intelligence are overlooked in the game. The obsession with physical qualities has led to a loss of diversity in the game,” Martínez commented.
Furthermore, a thorough analysis of MLB draft data reveals a significant bias toward prospects with impressive physical characteristics, such as a pitch velocity over 95 mph or a large wingspan. However, little attention has been paid to these players’ ability to make tactical decisions in real-world game situations.
The issue of poor pitching training is so dramatic that, unlike other sports where there is a better professional development program, in baseball, position players are often converted into pitchers after being signed—due to a lack of pitchers—and it’s only at an advanced age that they begin to understand, learn, and master the complicated commands of pitches. Isn’t it better to develop pitchers from a younger age?
On the other hand, in the NBA and football, the leagues have adopted a more balanced approach to recruiting talent, valuing physical abilities as well as talent and intelligence. In an interview with NBA scout Mike Zarren, he shared: “We look for players who are not only athletically impressive, but also demonstrate a deep understanding of the game and the ability to make intelligent decisions on the court.” The result: basketball is the sport that has evolved the most in the world. Very few athletes can imitate what a basketball player can do.
In the world of soccer, renowned coach Pep Guardiola has emphasized the importance of talent and tactical intelligence in player development. “In my experience, the most successful players are those who combine exceptional technical skills with a sophisticated understanding of the game. This is what makes the difference at the highest level,” said the Manchester City manager.
I believe that MLB urgently needs to reevaluate its approach to recruiting and developing talent if it wants to maintain a high level of competition, something that for many reasons has declined to the point that many experts have concluded that baseball is regressing. Recognizing and valuing talent and intelligence in the game is critical to ensuring the long-term health and success of players.
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