World Series champ Curt Schilling calls increased use of pitch counts 'bad thing'

Former MLB player Curt Schilling talks sports and politics on ‘The Will Cain Show.’

Former World Series champion Curt Schilling took issue with the use of pitch counts in Major League Baseball as the 2025 season got underway.

Schilling appeared Friday on "The Will Cain Show" on Fox News Channel. Fill-in host Charles Hurt asked the former Arizona Diamondbacks and Boston Red Sox star whether the pitch count has turned out to be good or bad.

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Former MLB pitcher Curt Schilling looks on during the first inning of the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the San Francisco Giants at Chase Field in Phoenix on Aug. 3, 2018. (Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports)

The six-time All-Star shook his head.

"It’s been a bad thing, but it’s a direct result of the money," Schilling said. "[Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher] Paul Skenes gets almost $10 million to sign out of college. Teams aren’t gonna spend that kind of money without their guys getting to the big leagues. So, they’re on pitch counts in the minor leagues, and they end up going into the big leagues with pitch counts, and you can’t ask guys to do things for the first time in the big leagues. 

"I kinda get a little acid reflux every time I see a pitcher walking off the mound in the sixth inning, tipping his cap. But the game has changed."

MLB managers have routinely taken pitchers out of ball games if they start to sniff 100 pitches during games, regardless of whether the player has a no-hitter or shutout intact.

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes celebrates with teammates after leaving the game against the Miami Marlins during the sixth inning at loanDepot Park in Miami on Thursday. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

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