MLB faces an injury crisis among pitchers due to the pursuit of increased velocity, as emphasized by expert Greg Maddux, who highlights the importance of pitching artistry and execution over sheer speed. Maddux's insights reveal a shift towards velocity-focused training and a lack of emphasis on traditional pitching skills among young players, contributing to the rising injury rates. The reliance on extreme velocity has led to a concerning breakdown rate of 90% among the hardest-throwing starters, contrasting with a lower rate for those with average velocity. Despite advancements in training methods, the prevalence of arm injuries, particularly to the ulnar collateral ligament, underscores the need for a reevaluation of pitching development strategies.

• Greg Maddux accumulated 355 wins and four Cy Young Awards during his career.
• Breakdown rate among extreme velocity throwers is 90%, compared to 60% for starters with average velocity over the past five years.

The emphasis on velocity in pitching development has led to a neglect of fundamental pitching skills, contributing to the injury crisis.

• Rising injury rates among pitchers linked to the trend of increased velocity training and specialization from a young age.
• MLB teams are grappling with a loss of premier starting pitchers and billions of dollars due to pitcher injuries.

There is a growing need to reevaluate pitching development approaches, considering the insights provided by Greg Maddux to prioritize execution and pitching skills over excessive velocity.

The MLB's injury crisis among pitchers underscores the necessity of balancing training for velocity with traditional pitching skills to ensure longevity and performance, highlighting the critical importance of listening to seasoned experts like Greg Maddux.