Red Sox: MLB warns pitcher David Price of concerns about his delivery

A new rule requires pitchers to alert umpires of their delivery, which came about as a result of the wind-up of Boston Red Sox lefty David Price.

Concern from umpires about being able to properly identify whether Boston Red Sox pitcher David Price is throwing from a full wind-up or a set position has resulted in a new rule this season.

Call it the “Price Rule.”

The rule states that pitchers are now required to alert the umpire of their pitching delivery when there is a runner on third base. As ESPN’s Buster Olney explains, “If a pitcher takes the rubber and his back foot is parallel to the mound and his other foot is in front, it is assumed he is in the set position and he will stop. This does not matter with no runners on or runners on first and second. But when there is a runner on third, pitchers need to inform the umpires if they are going to stand that way and not stop — i.e., pitch out of the full windup.”

According to WEEI’s Rob Bradford, the MLB Player’s Association informed Price that umpires are uncomfortable with how he sets up in the wind-up or stretch. Apparently the differences in his stance are too subtle for umpires to tell the difference, which has led them to believe he is attempting to deceive base runners.

Price vehemently disagrees and is baffled by why umpires are taking issue with a wind-up that he’s used for most of his career.

"“Mine is a distinct difference,” said Price. “I’m set at a 45-degree angle whenever I’m in the wind-up. My hands are in the glove and my hands are down here. Whenever I’m in the stretch it’s straight at home plate, my glove is up here and my hands are on my leg. I don’t understand.”"

Price’s intent isn’t to deceive anyone. His delivery may be unique, but it’s designed to reduce the amount of movement to improve control.

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You may remember early last season when Price was in a funk that he identified a mechanical flaw in which his hands weren’t moving enough in sync with his knee during his delivery. The difference was so slight that Price didn’t even realize he was doing it until it was pointed out to him on video, but it goes to show how even a minor tweak to his delivery can make a significant difference. Umpires may be getting confused by his routine, but the lefty isn’t about to change it to appease them – not at the expense of losing his pinpoint control.

The good news is that Price isn’t being forced to change his mechanics. He can continue to pitch the way he wants, he simply needs to give umpires a heads up about his approach if there’s a runner on third base. It’s a minor annoyance, but well worth going along with if it prevents a confused umpire from calling a balk that sends a runner home.

The change shouldn’t have an effect on Price’s performance this season. He’s not giving up an advantage by declaring his delivery style if he wasn’t hiding it with the intent to deceive anyone. If anything, it may entice the southpaw to abandon the wind-up altogether, as he did for a brief time last season.

It may appear that Price is being targeted with this new rule, but other pitchers replicating his delivery – including teammate Drew Pomeranz – is what sparked MLB to take action. Sometimes it’s good to be a trend setter. Apparently this is not one of those times.

Price will look to bounce back in his second season with the Red Sox after falling short of expectations by posting an underwhelming 3.99 ERA and 1.20 WHIP, both of which represented his highest marks since his rookie season in 2009.

The new rule will merely be a minor adjustment for Price and he’ll have all spring to get used to it, beginning this Sunday when he makes his first start against the Atlanta Braves at JetBlue Park.

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He may be miffed by umpires failing to recognize what he considers to be a clear difference between his delivery styles, but it’s not something to be concerned about. Instead, his focus should be on preventing base runners from getting to third base to begin with, which is the only time the rule would come into play. Problem solved!