Pitchers rarely bat because of the designated hitter (DH) rule: a player who bats in their place all game. Since 2022, that rule is universal in both leagues, so the pitcher just pitches.
The reason: specialization
Pitching in the majors is a full-time job. Pitchers train for that, not for hitting, and their numbers at the plate were dismal: for decades they hovered around a .110 batting average, far below any position player. Putting a DH in their place raises the offense.
It wasn’t always this way
The National League held out for nearly 50 years with pitchers batting, and a few even hit well. But the case that broke the mold is Shohei Ohtani: he pitches and hits at an elite level at once, so rare that MLB created a special rule to allow it.
FAQ
Since when don’t they bat?
In the American League since 1973; in both leagues since 2022, with the universal DH.
Does Ohtani bat?
Yes: he’s the exception, hitting as a DH and pitching too.
