Major League Baseball is experiencing a historically high rate of batters being hit by pitches, with 0.43 batters hit per game through the All-Star break this season. This rate is nearly threefold that of 1980 and second only to the 2020 COVID-shortened season. Experts attribute this trend to several factors, including pitchers prioritizing velocity and spin over control, and difficulty gripping the ball since MLB's crackdown on sticky substances in June 2021.

Pitchers like Miles Mikolas note that many hard-throwing pitchers struggle with control, leading to unintentional hits. The inability to pitch inside effectively, as mentioned by former player Larry Bowa, also contributes, forcing hitters to crowd the plate. Furthermore, the average pitch misses its intended location by a significant margin, prompting catchers to set up near the center of the plate, increasing the risk for hitters.

This phenomenon is also evident in lower leagues, where "just wear it" has become a common adage. Hitters are increasingly protected by padding, and some are even trained to accept being hit to avoid missing pitches. While not all players intentionally seek to be hit, the combination of extreme pitching tactics and reduced control suggests the high hit-by-pitch rate is likely to persist.