I don’t know exactly when teams really started monitoring pitchers’ innings, but it’s gotten worse and maybe because the media focuses so much on it. It’s really more about the younger pitchers-not just the guys that have been in the big leagues for a few years.

I understand that teams have to monitor pitchers who are coming off serious arm injuries and I get they have often have millions invested in some of the guys, but at what point can they actually earn their keep. I also accept that teams unreasonably expect guys to throw as hard as humanly possible and that they really only care about the guys so long as they are effective.

If you pay attention to any telecast or broadcast, you’re going to hear the announcer talking about a certain pitcher that’s never reached a certain number of innings before. I know pitchers are under great physical strain and must be babied, but I also know they only have one job how that hitting and running the bases isn’t part of the job description.

Unlike position players that have to work on multiple skills, pitchers only have to pitch (and maybe field their position). They don’t work second jobs during the offseason, they aren’t performing non-baseball tasks. What’s the difference between 124 innings and 145? There are numerous recent examples of pitchers that were held back early in their careers only to see their careers end prematurely. At some point, they have to earn their keep. When these guys are in their early to mid 20’s they are in their prime. Most of them are only throwers and not pitchers and haven’t been taught to change speeds and develop other pitches. It’s not even a question of guys hitting the 220-inning mark, but rather being able to pitch into September when their teams need them.

Without indicting any particular starters, there are too many horses that don’t seem to be able to throw more than 140 innings any longer. I’d also argue that this is something afflicting the majority of teams.

If a pitcher gets shut down when he reaches this magical, never before reached limit what will he do that offseason that will allow him to reach his potential? And no, I don’t expect a guy whose only thrown 130 innings in the past to miraculously exceed 180 the following season, but how about 155? And if a guy is tiring midway through a season-then try something different, but don’t shut him down. Pitchers have to learn how to pitch (not merely throw) through difficult times.

Even the local media in Chicago has forgotten that Greg Maddux was not a HOF pitcher in 1986-87, but he did drastically increase his usage (innings) 31 IP, 5.52 ERA in 86/155.2 IP 5.61 ERA in 87/249 IP, 3.18 ERA in 1988. I remember his struggles with the bottom of the order specifically in those first two seasons. Some rather ordinary hitters had pretty decent success against him in those early days. See Tom Foley.

I’m not suggesting that a team take the Maddux approach, but I don’t think every hard-thrower need be given the Strasburg approach either. Just beware the next time (later today) that you hear some broadcaster inform you of a pitcher having hit his limit.