Skip to main content
Nolan Writin'
Fansided

Rangers among best teams using ABS challenge system, but what have been the payoffs?

Of course they are, right?
ByJeff Speicher|
Share on FacebookShare on XShare on Reddit
Google Discover
The scoreboard at LECOM Park displays a screen from the ABS challenge system, indicating that a called strike was actually a ball, 1.4” below the strick zone. Major League Baseball is testing an Automated Ball-Stike (ABS) challenge system at select spring training parks. The system allows players to challenge a limited number of ball/stike calls during a game. Calls can be overturned if the pitch tracking technology shows an umpire got a call wrong.
The scoreboard at LECOM Park displays a screen from the ABS challenge system, indicating that a called strike was actually a ball, 1.4” below the strick zone. Major League Baseball is testing an Automated Ball-Stike (ABS) challenge system at select spring training parks. The system allows players to challenge a limited number of ball/stike calls during a game. Calls can be overturned if the pitch tracking technology shows an umpire got a call wrong. | Mike Lang / Sarasota Herald-Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The 2026 season ushered in a new automated ball-strike system (ABS), which was intended to help ensure the validity of the MLB strike zone and correct all the calls that a home plate umpire misses throughout the game.

So far, 45 games into the schedule, it has been met with mostly favorable reviews from fans, managers and players alike. For the most part, the technology has been as advertised, improving America's greatest pastime.

Unfortunately for the Rangers, however, a new metric has revealed that they have been the least successful challengers using the new system and it could have a significant impact by season's end.

Rangers seeing high challenge success rate, but lack direct impact

The Texas Rangers have been the least successful challengers, in terms of run value using the new system.

Using the new Statcast metric, the Rangers have used the ABS at minus-1.6 runs against expectation. By contrast, MLB's best challengers, the Twins and Rockies, are killing it with a rate of 4.4 runs better than expectation.

It is worth noting that the Rangers are one of most successful teams at using the ABS system, resulting in 50 of 80 correct challenges on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.

That six-run spread could mean a difference of approximately three wins. In a crowded and underperforming American League West, that could make the difference between winning the division outright or qualifying for a wild card berth.

With savvy backstops like Kyle Higashioka and Danny Jansen using the system most frequently, you would think that the Rangers would be in the middle of the pack, or even close to the top. Only catchers, pitchers and hitters are allowed to use the challenge.

Under Skip Schumaker, the Rangers hitters have been more selective at the plate a season while seemingly using the ABS judicially and prudently. This article and Statcast indicate that the team needs to be better and more discriminatory when tapping their helmets and second-guessing the umpires.

It is one of several hidden statistical areas in which the team can improve as they chase the Athletics for the top spot in the division and fends off the Mariners, who are struggling early in the season.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Loading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations

Home/Texas Rangers News