EXCLUSIVE: Atlanta Braves insider on MLB banning defensive shift: "Left-handed hitters have a hole they haven’t had in baseball in five or six years"

One of the biggest changes to MLB in recent memory is coming in 2023: the banning of the defensive shift. The new rules will require infielders to stand in very specific areas, unable to stray before the pitch. This should open up tremendous opportunities for offensive players to elevate their games.

The shift was an incredibly innovative strategy that used data to predict where players would hit the ball, and being positioned to defend it. While it was an effective plan, some argued it was against the spirit of the game and weakened positional value. It's banning will have a radical effect on the upcoming season.

This rather extreme example of the defensive shift highlights why MLB is moving on from it:

Atlanta Braves insider Chris Dimino sat down for an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda and explained the effect banning the shift will have:

"Batting averages are like .232. It's the lowest in baseball in forever. Literally, if you're a player, the average average was .232. So, now, we're dealing in, like, less guys on base. Optimism now to say take the shift away, optimism that maybe the running game comes back in and you can't even cheat."

Dimino explained what the new rules are hoping to accomplish:

"Here's the deal. So, people know the shift you have to have two on the right side, two on the left side. You have to be on the dirt and be on the grass when the pitcher’s in his windup. Now, guy goes into his windup, do you want to jump out one place, which will still need two on the left, two on the right, and you can't move your best defensive player around?

"In other words, if your third baseman needs to go play right field because your shortstop can cover everything, that stuff's not happening. Now, all of a sudden, left-handed hitters have a hole they haven’t had in baseball in five or six years."

MLB sluggers will have new opportunities in 2023, if they are able to take advantage of the new rules.

Will MLB see an offensive explosion in 2023?

New York Yankees vs. Texas Rangers

Based on all the rules, offensive production should be up league-wide. The battles between star pitchers and star hitters will have the added layer now of the ban of the shift. Even great pitchers like Justin Verlander, Shohei Ohtani or Max Scherzer will likely see their ERAs increase. Star sluggers like Aaron Judge, Mike Trout and Juan Soto will likely see their batting averages improve.

This highlight package posted to YouTube shows how out of hand the defensive shift could get at times, and why MLB banned it.

If any of the above quotes are used, credit Sportskeeda.