Pitchers Who Benefit Most from MLB’s Automated Ball-Strike System

Major League Baseball is rolling out an Automated Ball-Strike system (ABS) this season. They’re still keeping a human touch with player challenges.

The ABS will automatically call balls and strikes. But if teams disagree, they can contest calls—each side gets two challenges per game and keeps a successful one.

There’s just a tiny window to challenge—within two seconds of the call. It’s all about keeping things moving fast.

Even with umpires hitting a record low for wrong calls last season, the numbers are wild. More than 15,000 strikes got ruled as balls, and over 11,000 balls were called strikes. Mistakes are still part of the game, even at the highest level.

What the ABS rollout means for MLB this season

The ABS shakes up how pitches get judged. MLB wants a more consistent strike zone, but they’re not ditching the drama of challenge calls.

Fans and critics are both watching closely. How will the automated system handle blazing fastballs or those tricky off-speed pitches? And will teams change their pitching strategies because of the two-challenge limit?

Sure, the human eye will keep questioning calls. But now the robots set the baseline, which could really tighten or even shift the strike zone in ways we haven’t seen before.

How the challenge system will function on the field

With ABS, players can challenge a close call. But the rules are tight, and the clock’s ticking.

Only two challenges per game means managers and pitchers have to pick their moments. Win a challenge, and you keep it in your pocket for later—pretty valuable if you ask me.

The two-second rule? That’s pressure. It rewards catchers and dugouts who can react instantly and communicate fast.

Key implications of the challenge rule include:

• Strategic pacing: Teams have to decide whether to use challenges early or save them for crunch time.
• Momentum adjustments: A smartly timed challenge can flip an inning, even if the call seems minor.
• Consistency expectations: Teams that keep challenging get extra attention, especially if it looks like they’re pushing the limits.

ABS and the strike zone: where the lines shift

Analysts point out that ABS doesn’t copy the human strike zone exactly. Visuals show the top of the zone might get called differently by the system.

This could mean pitchers who used to get those high strikes won’t see as many called in their favor. But they might pick up some extra strikes on the corners.

Pitchers who can hit the top of the zone—usually with heat and movement—might lose a bit up high but gain elsewhere. It’s a trade-off, really.

High fastballs are a special case. They’re tough to judge, and pitchers who live up there say they’re getting fewer called strikes with ABS.

The system’s reading of the top of the zone might take away some strikes that pitchers used to count on. On the flip side, the bottom or outside edges could become more forgiving.

Who stands to gain or lose with the new system

Early projections suggest pitchers who attack the top of the zone with sharp command could benefit most. Those who made a living off middle-up strikes might get squeezed a bit, with fewer automatic strikes called there.

Some pitchers might not notice much difference at all. Teams, though, will probably need to tweak their approach—maybe lean harder into challenges or rethink how they use certain pitches.

For teams, the big takeaway? Adapt fast. That means refining pitch selection, figuring out the best moments to challenge, and maybe even changing up how they sequence fastballs and breaking stuff.

The ABS doesn’t just tweak the calls—it shakes up how teams build their pitching staffs and plan their offense. Honestly, nobody’s quite sure what’ll count as a strike for a while, so expect a season full of trial and error.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Which MLB pitchers are going to benefit most from the Automated Ball-Strike system?