Aaron Judge, Yankees React to New ABS Challenge System

TAMPA, Florida – The automated ball-strike (ABS) challenge system is already making an impact in Spring Training and perhaps no player stands to benefit more than New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge. During live batting practice on Wednesday at George M. Steinbrenner Field, Judge successfully challenged a called strike, a moment that highlighted the potential for the new system to reshape the game.

The incident occurred during a third strike call against Judge. Without hesitation, the towering slugger tapped his helmet to initiate a challenge. Seconds later, the left-field scoreboard confirmed his suspicion: the pitch from reliever Paul Blackburn was, in fact, outside and low – a ball. Judge then hammered the next pitch into left field, a tangible demonstration of how the ABS challenge could extend at-bats and alter game outcomes.

“I’m excited for it,” Judge said. “I think it’s going to be a little weird, because I’m not an umpire. I’m a hitter. I’ve never been in the box trying to think about, ‘Is this a ball? Is that a strike?’ If I feel like I can hit it, I feel like it’s a strike.”

The challenge system arrives at a time when Judge has consistently faced unfavorable strike zone calls. Since his first full season in 2017, no hitter in Major League Baseball has had more called strikes against them on pitches outside the strike zone than Judge (tied with Mookie Betts at 638). The disparity is particularly pronounced on low pitches, where Judge has been the recipient of 368 called strikes – far more than any other hitter in the league during that span (Josh Bell is next with 233).

“He’s one of the most miscalled zones in baseball,” said Yankees catcher Austin Wells. “Being so tall, he’s getting calls below his knees all the time. That’s tough. It might be harder for him because that’s how he’s been called for so long, but I know he’s going to benefit from it.”

The new system allows players – pitchers, catchers, or batters – to challenge calls without needing approval from the dugout. Each team receives two challenges per game, and successful challenges are retained. Judge encouraged his teammates to be proactive in utilizing the system, especially during Spring Training to familiarize themselves with the process.

“We have to get used to it. We have to use it,” Judge stated. “This could be a tool that, if we get a couple more wins because we get a couple of decisions right, then hopefully that helps us not tie for the division.”

Yankees manager Aaron Boone, who previously expressed reservations about the system, appears to be embracing it. He’s encouraging his pitchers to challenge calls as well, a strategy that has sparked debate in other clubhouses. During Wednesday’s workout, Yankees prospect Ben Hess had a strike call overturned in his favor after a challenge from Trent Grisham.

“Right now I’m totally on board with it. We’re going to evolve a little bit with it,” Boone said. “Our pitchers might be a little less inclined, but I want them to have the freedom right now. There are certain pitches where I do think they might have better judgment than a catcher.”

Wells pointed to pitchers like Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, and Gerrit Cole as potential beneficiaries of the challenge system. He also noted that pitchers who rely heavily on emotion might find the system particularly helpful in confirming their perceptions of the strike zone.

Even Jazz Chisholm Jr., known for his aggressive approach, will have the freedom to challenge calls. Boone revealed that Yankees’ data suggests Chisholm frequently receives incorrect calls on pitches at the top of the strike zone.

Boone acknowledged the possibility of Judge receiving a detrimental call late in a game with no challenges remaining, stating, “That’s going to happen.” He emphasized the importance of being aggressive with challenges, even early in games, rather than conserving them for crucial moments.

“The natural reaction or tendency is, ‘I’ve got to save one,’” Boone explained. “And you end up taking them with you. Games are won or lost in the second, third, or fourth inning all the time. We want our guys to be good at this. We also want them to be aggressive. That scenario we’re talking about is going to happen. That doesn’t mean it wasn’t right to challenge, because you might never get to that moment.”

The implementation of the ABS challenge system represents a significant shift in the game, and early indications suggest that players like Aaron Judge, who have historically been disadvantaged by inconsistent strike zone calls, are poised to reap the benefits. As the season progresses, the strategic use of challenges will undoubtedly become a key component of team success.