Last updated on October 25th, 2023 at 06:37 pm
A baseball ace represents the best pitcher on a baseball team. Both major league and minor league teams generally have an ace pitcher, and that pitcher usually starts on opening day each season. Outside of starting opening day for your team, an ace is the pitching staff leader during the regular season. They frequently have MLB experience and can help younger pitchers on the team progress in their careers.
What are the Responsibilities of a Baseball Ace?
A baseball ace typically starts the season via an opening day start. The team’s ace might not lead the team with the most strikeouts or wins, but is expected to rally the team with quality pitching performances every time they take the mound. A baseball ace should be challenging the opposing top hitters on the team to send a message. Finally, a baseball ace should be starting playoff and world series games for their team.
Does Every Team Need a True Ace?
With the baseball opener becoming more relevant in baseball, teams don’t need a true ace. However, every Major League team would like to have an ace, if possible, to lead their team and pitching staff with thy physical and mental side of the game. A young team, for example, could benefit from an experienced pitcher to lead the younger pitchers on the team.
Conclusion of the Baseball Ace
Major League Baseball in 2021 looks different from baseball in 2001. Like the San Diego Padres, many teams effectively have more than one good pitcher on their team that could be an ace. Players like Yu Darvish and Blake Snell were both aces on their previous teams last year but now share the same rotation in 2021. By sharing the rotation and ditching the ace title, teams like the San Diego Padres are focusing on top talent instead of titles in 2021.
Other teams like the Miami Marlins or Tampa Bay Rays opt for more baseball openers to set the game’s tone each season. Regardless of the definition of an ace has changed, an ace is still valuable. Having someone take the mound to lead your team to a win can set the tone for a winning season.
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Greg Kristan, owner of The Stadium Reviews, LLC and TM Blast, LLC, brings his extensive experience visiting over half of the MLB ballparks, along with numerous MLS, NHL, NBA, and NFL venues, to provide in-depth coverage on the bag policy, food options, and parking. He has also been interviewed about his experiences on several sports podcasts.