The Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) challenge system is already making an impact across Major League Baseball, and the Toronto Blue Jays are among the teams seeing early benefits during spring training.
Davis Schneider can use his experience to help the Blue Jays adjust to the new ABS system. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
The system, which MLB plans to use during the 2026 regular season, allows pitchers, catchers, or batters to challenge ball-and-strike calls they believe were incorrect. Each team receives two challenges per game, and if a challenge is successful, they retain it.
ABS technology was first introduced in the minor leagues in 2019 and began limited testing in major league spring training last year. Across MLB last spring, teams successfully overturned 52.2% of challenged calls.
Blue Jays Actively Using the System
Toronto has embraced the system early in camp.
Through the first week of spring training games, the Blue Jays have already initiated 27 challenges:
- 12 on offense
- 15 on defense
Overall, the team has succeeded on 48% of their appeals. Defensive challenges have been especially effective, with a 60% success rate.
Pitchers Showing Good Strike-Zone Awareness
Reliever Tommy Nance has been particularly sharp when it comes to recognizing missed calls.
Nance has challenged three pitches so far — winning all three appeals. Two of those overturned calls resulted in strikeout pitches, directly helping Toronto escape innings.
Another player with a perfect challenge record is Brandon Valenzuela, who is expected to start the season in Triple-A. The catcher has gone 4-for-4 on challenges during spring games.
Alejandro Kirk Still Adjusting
Blue Jays starting catcher Alejandro Kirk, known as one of baseball’s best pitch framers, has had mixed results with the system so far.
Kirk ranks in the 98th percentile in pitch framing according to Baseball Savant, but he has only correctly challenged three of five calls during spring training.
While framing will still matter, the ABS challenge system adds a new layer to a catcher’s responsibilities — forcing them to decide when it’s worth challenging a borderline call.
Young Hitters Testing the System
On the offensive side, Toronto’s regular lineup has largely avoided using challenges so far.
Instead, prospects have been experimenting with the system.
Arjun Nimmala, the Blue Jays’ No. 3 prospect, leads the team with three offensive challenges, successfully overturning two.
Meanwhile, Davis Schneider has an impressive history with ABS challenges from his time in Triple-A. Last season he ranked first among 169 qualified hitters, successfully overturning 83% of his appeals.
Five of Schneider’s successful challenges even reversed strikeout calls.
Strategic Decisions Still Evolving
With only two challenges per game, teams will need to be selective about when they use them. Situational awareness — such as count, inning, and game context — will become an important part of the decision-making process.
As players and coaches adjust to the new system, the ABS challenge rule could become a subtle but meaningful tactical element in games.
For now, the Blue Jays appear to be embracing the technology early, and early results suggest it may already be helping them gain an edge during spring training. ⚾
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