New rules may lead to more back picks attempts

[Auggie]

2. "quicker move from commitment to release"

Giants announcers Duane Kuiper and Shawn Estes were discussing this during today's Spring Training game following two "disengagements" (pick-off attempts) by an Angels' pitcher and the subsequent successful stolen base by a Giants' baserunner. Both talked about the release and predicted we'll see more pitchouts as well.

Regarding the back pick: as Buster Posey says in the link, “One less step on the secondary can have a big impact.” The idea is to keep the runner honest and make it harder to take an additional base on a hit, score a run from first, and keep the double-play in line. There's no limit to the number as far as I know, so I expect the back pick to replace a lot of pickoff attempts. I bet teams will utilize both, mixing with the tempo and timing. We already know from the link that the Giants and other teams are practicing this.

FYI for anyone interested: Disengagement means a pickoff attempt or a timeout ("disengaging" from the rubber). Another term for 2023 I didn't know.