"Protected" is a bit of umpire jargon that is actually inaccurate enough to trip us up if we don't keep the actual rule itself in mind.
IOW, no one is "protected". It is simply that a runner is out if the runner interferes with a fielder attempting to field a batted ball with the exception that if more than one fielder is attempting to field the batted ball, the runner is not out if the contact is with one who could not make an out / play.
This wording is a bit clumsy (What if there is more than 2? What if they could
all make an out?), but we - hopefully - know what is meant.
And, Mike, I do believe that a pitcher is still a fielder, right?
