Major League Baseball is one step closer to implementing the Automated Ball/Strike challenge system at baseball’s highest level. Jesse Rogers of ESPN reports that the challenge system will be implemented for the entire week at the Triple-A level. The previous system was a fully automated strike zone on Tuesdays through Thursdays, followed by the challenge system on Fridays through Sundays.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!How the challenge system works is teams can challenge called balls and strikes. Pitchers and catchers can challenge called balls while hitters can challenge called strikes. The process is relatively quick, with the catcher or hitter signaling to the umpire. Then a graphic showing the pitch will appear on the video board to track the pitch. The challenge process takes 15-20 seconds to complete, which doesn’t disrupt the flow of the game much. At Triple-A, teams have three challenges. If the call is upheld, then the team will lose a challenge.
Diamondbacks fans got to see the challenge system in effect for the Spring Breakout Game against the Colorado Rockies. One challenge led to a big moment in the game with top prospect Jordan Lawlar successfully reversing a Strike 3 call then working a full count and doubling to start a two-run inning.
We’ve got another strike challenge!
Diamondbacks No. 1 prospect Jordan Lawlar got his strikeout overturned and proceeded to hit a double. pic.twitter.com/5sqcD8ZBjf
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) March 17, 2024
No Diamondbacks prospect is more familiar with the challenge system than catcher Adrian Del Castillo, who plays for the organization’s Triple-A affiliate in Reno. As a catcher and a hitter, he’s been on both sides of the ball on the challenge system. Asked which system he preferred between the challenge system or a fully automated strike zone, Del Castillo chose the challenge system as framing is still a part of the game.
With a limited number of challenges, there is a strategic element for when to deploy them. The most obvious example would be on either a swing count or a two-strike count, where the impact of such calls is heightened.
It’s unlikely that the challenge system will arrive in MLB for the 2025 season, but could be looking at 2026 at the earliest for when it’s implemented.
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Michael McDermott covers the Arizona Diamondbacks and Arizona Cardinals for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @MichaelMcDMLB
