Ten years prior, amidst the 2015 playoff series, the Kansas City Royals were advancing towards a title. During this period, a forward scout detected a pitcher’s tell from a forthcoming postseason adversary, information he was eager to convey to the Royals’ batters with utmost speed.
“One hurler employed a dark mitt, and our forward observer perceived light glinting from that mitt,” J.J. Picollo, the Royals’ general manager, recounted recently. “The discovery entailed the following: Should one observe illumination bouncing from the mitt, it signaled his breaking pitch. Conversely, an absence of light indicated his fastball, attributable to the precise angle at which he positioned his glove.”
“Our team amassed numerous scores as a consequence.”
In the ensuing years, revealing pitches has grown considerably more conspicuous within the sport. This issue frequently dominated the narrative of the 2025 MLB postseason, emerging in matchups involving the Los Angeles Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays, and the Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies.
The matter culminated during the World Series as Blue Jays and Dodgers base coaches received directives to cease straying excessively from their designated areas—presumably to achieve superior vantage points of the hurler’s hands and mitts, in an attempt to assist their batters by any means feasible.
The admonition issued during the 2025 World Series extended into the current season, with MLB now implementing a novel regulation mandating base coaches remain within their allocated zones prior to the pitch’s delivery. This serves as a clear illustration of the considerable time and effort clubs are allocating to this concern, integrating their personnel with sophisticated technology in pursuit of discerning the most subtle tendencies—from both adversaries and their own hurlers.
“Much apprehension exists regarding the actions of the base coaches,” David Forst, General Manager for the Athletics, stated. “Here, actuality mirrors apprehension.”
An even greater concern for front offices is ensuring their own hurlers do not reveal pitches. Tells manifest in numerous variations, frequently relating to the placement of a hurler’s mitt and his finger movements. However, myriad methods exist for divulging a pitch.
“With one individual, discernment was possible via his mouth, depending on whether it was agape or shut,” Dan Wilson, the Mariners’ manager, observed. “An open mouth signified one type of delivery; a closed mouth indicated a different one. Occasionally, it becomes quite apparent, discernible by all observers.”
ESPN aimed to ascertain the sentiments of teams regarding pitch revelation—and its significance in the contemporary baseball epoch.
“It constitutes a substantial element of the sport,” Zack Minasian, the Giants’ General Manager, asserted. “It is not illicit. Should the grip be discernible, it is permissible. It isn’t regulated with the same rigor as two decades past; in that era, a high-and-inside pitch might be delivered to convey a warning.”
What is the significance of revealing pitches?
Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer: “Last season, we had a hurler whose foot remained aligned when delivering to the plate, but rotated slightly when throwing to first base. Consequently, opponents could steal bases at will. This is exasperating; we cannot permit that.”
Angels GM Perry Minasian: “I’ve witnessed clubs possessing knowledge of pitches yet failing to tally any scores. It remains challenging to strike the ball. In Texas, we perceived we had deciphered Randy Johnson’s deliveries, which thrilled us—only to observe numerous zeros displayed on the scoreboard.”
Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young: “An ex-teammate informed me I was revealing pitches, yet I completed seven scoreless [frames] that evening. Fortune favored me on that occasion, though my method of revealing pitches escapes my recollection.”
Perry Minasian: “All thirty of us are apprehensive about such matters. No club wishes to grant an adversary an edge. The differences are so minuscule, even the slightest benefit can sway the outcome.”
Which are your most cherished stories concerning pitch revelation?
Reds manager Terry Francona: “I wasn’t particularly adept at it, however, I could discern when they were attempting a pickoff at first base. The reason eludes me. Currently, an abundance of video exists; our objective is to render it as arduous as feasible.”
White Sox pitcher Sean Newcomb: “My tell involved the velocity of my gum chewing. I would chew vigorously for a fastball, then cease for breaking pitches. I remained unaware of this problem until a fellow player informed me.”
Padres manager Craig Stammen: “The Dodgers consistently excelled at detecting such matters. When an opposing player occupied second base, I would drop my curveball with a distinct motion. I was unable to conceal my mitt more effectively. Consequently, with every delivery, I would attempt to imitate that motion, aiming to slightly mislead them. We will certainly dedicate effort to this.”
Zack Minasian: “During my time as a bat boy, a player would provide me with a tell to transmit to the first-base coach, who would then inform the base runner, who in turn would relay it to the batter. I participated in the contest. Such an occurrence transpired on a few occasions. I believe I can recount that now.”
Giants manager Tony Vitello: “It was exceedingly widespread at the collegiate level. The SEC represents substantial financial investment. As you descend the tiers, certain teams lack the personnel or video capabilities to delve as deeply. The elite squads engage in this practice.
“Players [in MLB] permit base runners to proceed to avoid them being on second base. When observing professional games in the college locker room and witnessing this, we found it quite extraordinary. Such an occurrence was absent in collegiate play.”
What portion of your daily efforts is dedicated to pitch revelation—either preempting your own hurlers’ tells or discovering those of adversaries?
Young: “We maintain a review procedure irrespective of results. Frequently, players believe they revealed pitches, yet upon our examination, we find, ‘No, the delivery was simply middle-of-the-plate.’ This constitutes a significant aspect of contemporary baseball, with the emphasis equally on preemption as it is on discovering opponents’ tells.”
Forst: “It is merely customary that should outcomes be unfavorable, one will delve deeper into the matter.”
Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen: “We dedicate considerable time to preventing pitch revelation among our hurlers. This forms a component of nearly all our internal dialogues, including individual discussions with our pitchers. Our personnel are continuously observing. Following a poor game or outing, we are uncertain how much can be attributed to pitch revelation. We sometimes endeavor to verify this information with opposing teams, as implementing adjustments based on inaccuracies can similarly lead to detrimental consequences.”
Newcomb: “It is an element one integrates into their regimen. The manipulation of your mitt. The movements of your physique. Pitching holds. The practice commences with daily catch sessions, ensuring awareness by the day of the start.”
Picollo: “This is an unyielding endeavor. Certain clubs excel more than others in this area. Our endeavors were intensified subsequent to 2023. We employ numerous individuals on our team, working covertly, and gather intelligence from our batters. It represents a benefit; we cannot disregard it.”
Schaeffer: “It must constitute a significant component. Previously, it was not a major element. During the offseason, this received considerable attention, with specialists brought in. Merely one opposing team possessing a tell on a single reliever in a particular inning can determine the game’s outcome. Should our players exhibit a tell, we must rectify it; it will be an immense area of concentration.”