The Effect of Tommy John Surgery on Pitching Performance in Major League Baseball
Faculty Sponsor(s)
Jeff Summers
Location
Jereld R. Nicholson Library: Grand Avenue
Subject Area
Economics
Description
Ulnar collateral ligament reconstructive surgery, commonly referred to as Tommy John surgery, is a procedure that many Major League Baseball pitchers undergo. This research explores the effect of Tommy John surgery on MLB pitching performance, measured by average fastball velocity, home runs, strikeouts, and walks, using a time series cross-sectional model. Results indicated that at the 5% level of significance, Tommy John surgery has a positive impact on average fastball velocity and strikeouts per inning pitched controlling for age, seasons missed, and rehab innings pitched. The results of this research are contrary to those of other studies. It is hoped that this research will spark conversation on the impact of Tommy John surgery.
Recommended Citation
Hanson, Max and Boos, Taylor, "The Effect of Tommy John Surgery on Pitching Performance in Major League Baseball" (2018). Linfield University Student Symposium: A Celebration of Scholarship and Creative Achievement. Event. Submission 25.
https://digitalcommons.linfield.edu/symposium/2018/all/25
The Effect of Tommy John Surgery on Pitching Performance in Major League Baseball
Jereld R. Nicholson Library: Grand Avenue
Ulnar collateral ligament reconstructive surgery, commonly referred to as Tommy John surgery, is a procedure that many Major League Baseball pitchers undergo. This research explores the effect of Tommy John surgery on MLB pitching performance, measured by average fastball velocity, home runs, strikeouts, and walks, using a time series cross-sectional model. Results indicated that at the 5% level of significance, Tommy John surgery has a positive impact on average fastball velocity and strikeouts per inning pitched controlling for age, seasons missed, and rehab innings pitched. The results of this research are contrary to those of other studies. It is hoped that this research will spark conversation on the impact of Tommy John surgery.
