Rangers have yet to embrace the ABS challenge system to its full potential

The biggest talk of the 2026 regular season is the implementation of the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System with nearly 230 challenged pitches in the first six games of the year. While not at the bottom of the ranks, the Rangers have been hesitant to do so.

Texas has challenged five pitches and overturned two of them, with four being while hitting and one being the fielding team. That translates to a 3.5 percent rate on hitters and 0.5 percent on the defensive side, which are both among the bottom 10 in the league.

What is the cause of Rangers' ABS challenge hesitation?

Now that we have a base level in what is an extremely small and early sample size, let's dive into why Texas seems to be a bit hesitant in challenging pitches and if it's a smart path.

Take Monday's series opener in Baltimore for example. The Rangers challenged two pitches, going 1-for-2 but according to Ump Scorecard, they left a potential 10 reversal opportunities go unchallenged.

A lot of that might have to do with some players uncertainities surrounding the software of challenging a pitch and another factor might be due to the philosophy the Rangers entered the season with regarding ABS challenges.

Prior to spring training, manager Skip Schuamker shared the team was going to take it from here and depending on the situation they might be in at the time. Main point: don't be selfish.

Players' perspectives vary as well with Josh Jung saying the decision shouldn't be made unless it benefits the team as a whole and pitcher Cole Winn doesn't like the ABS system from his time in Triple-A a few years ago and vowed to never challenge a pitch again.

Regardless, the general consensus around the league in the first week of the season has been positive on a much needed implementation of the ABS system.

While it might not be that way for some umpires, paging Mr. C.B. Bucknor, it has reined in on the poor calls or at least given players opportunities to get those overturned while not costing a lot of game time.