As MLB front offices hustle to shape their rosters for the upcoming season, every decision contributes to the team’s identity and potential success. One critical yet often overlooked factor in roster construction, particularly when assembling a bullpen, is understanding players’ motor preferences.

Why does this matter? Look closer at bullpen durability—an essential component of a successful season. Knowing whether your pitchers are Anterior Muscle Chain Dominant or Posterior Muscle Chain Dominant can directly impact their workload management and overall performance.

• Anterior Muscle Chain Dominant Pitchers: These are the “concentric athletes.” They thrive under higher workloads, as their bodies are better equipped for frequent, repetitive performance.
• Posterior Muscle Chain Dominant Pitchers: Known as “plyometric athletes,” these players excel in explosive, high-intensity moments but require more recovery time to maintain peak effectiveness.

Here’s an eye-opening statistic: of the top 5 relief pitchers with the highest innings pitched from the last two seasons, 4 out of 5 were Anterior Muscle Chain Dominant. This trend isn’t a coincidence—it’s a testament to these athletes’ ability to endure the rigours of a long season.

For front offices, integrating motor preferences into player evaluations doesn’t just optimize bullpen usage; it prevents overuse injuries, ensures sustained performance, and contributes to team success in high-leverage situations.

As teams finalize their 2025 rosters, it’s worth asking: are we leveraging insights like these to gain a competitive edge? Recognizing the motor preferences of your bullpen pitchers might just be the difference between a good season and a great one.

Let’s build smarter, stronger, and more durable rosters—one decision at a time.