MLB pitchers still aren’t on board with the new protective caps

(BoomBang.com screenshot) In an effort to increase pitcher safety, Major League Baseball has been trying to integrate protective caps for pitchers in recent years. While some have actually worn them on the field, most pitchers still aren’t on board with the caps.

[2016 Yahoo Fantasy Baseball is open for business. Sign up now]

MLB continues to try, however. The league is testing out a new prototype helmet this spring. Roughly 20 pitchers will test out the new cap during camp drills, and provide MLB with feedback.

Minnesota Twins pitcher Ervin Santana is one of the pitchers testing out the new product, but he doesn’t seem to be a big fan just yet. Santana told Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press that he had a few criticisms of the new protective helmet.

“Two things,” he said. “The visor is pointing down too much. When you do the windup and finish the pitch, you can barely see home plate. And the other (problem) is the top part.”

Unlike the protective lining worn by reliever Alex Torres in recent seasons, this model does nothing to protect the top of a pitcher’s head.

Santana goes on to express that other pitchers in camp who have worn the cap have similar complaints.

Pittsburgh Pirates pitchers Mark Melancon and Jared Hughes are among the other pitchers who have tried out the new caps this spring. Melancon seemed hesitant to use it in a game, but that was mostly due to cosmetic reasons. Hughes seemed slightly more encouraged.

Your browser does not support iframes.

The criticism aren’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s encouraging that MLB is making a real push to protect pitchers from line drives on the mound. While the league hasn’t found a perfect solution just yet, getting critical feedback from players is a good idea.

Seeing a pitcher take a line drive off the face is one of the harrowing experiences for everyone involved. The stadium often goes silent, broadcasters have to carefully navigate the situation and fans attempt to come to grips with what they just saw.

[Elsewhere: Kevin Kiermaier’s excellent catch has now been made into a painting]

MLB may never figure out a perfect solution, but at least it’s trying. The sooner the league can prevent those situations from ever happening again, the better.

More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports: