MLB Twitter divided over new rules making Luis Garcia's unique windup illegal: "Making it illegal is so lame", "Man takes 49 years to deliver a pitch"

Division Series - Houston Astros v Seattle Mariners - Game Three
Division Series - Houston Astros v Seattle Mariners - Game Three

A swath of new rules will be in place in the MLB in 2023, one of which could greatly affect Houston Astros pitcher Luis Garcia. Garcia has one of the most unique windups in baseball today, and the new rules would make it illegal. It has always been technically against the rules, but umpires in the past have let it slide. However, the new emphasis on balk rules means his form will have to change.

Pitchers are creatures of habit, intensely dedicated to the perfection of their craft. Many have used the same form for decades and once they reach the majors, it is essentially all they know. Luis Garcia will have an extremely tall task ahead of him as he attempts to change his windup while maintaining his high level of pitching.

Talkin' Baseball provided an example of his windup and confirmed that it will now be illegal.

MLB fans are split on this unique style being taken away from Luis Garcia. In one sense, it should shorten his games and fall more in line with the rules as they are written. On the other hand, it removes something truly unique from a game that is becoming more and more uniform.

The rise of analytics and advanced metrics for perfect technique makes the game less and less unique. While it leads to better gameplay, it removes some of the spontaneity that makes baseball great. For many, Luis Garcia's pitch is a prime example of this issue.

Garcia is a great pitcher for the Houston Astros, who have one of the best pitching staffs in baseball. They will need Garcia to adapt and still be at his best as they attempt to hold on to their MLB crown. Teams like the New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners certainly won't make it easy for them.

The Houston Astros need everybody at their best in 2023, which means Garcia needs to figure out how to overcome this hurdle.

New MLB rules will affect Luis Garcia, but they are justified

World Series - Philadelphia Phillies v Houston Astros - Game One
World Series - Philadelphia Phillies v Houston Astros - Game One

In an effort to grow the game, MLB is instituting rules that should expand offense and make the game quicker. Both goals are logical, given the success of other sports leagues in North America that have implemented similar changes.

The new rules will affect the whole league, but perhaps none more so than Luis Garcia and his unique windup.

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Edited by Rajdeep Barman
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