One month into the 2026 season, MLB teams have begun to figure out how to maximize their use of the new ABS challenge system for determining balls and strikes. It is best deployed when it makes the difference between a walk and a strikeout, and the Cleveland Guardians are trying to put that strategy to good use.
The latest example came on Monday against the Tampa Bay Rays. Facing a full count during a 10-pitch at-bat in the bottom of the fifth, David Fry was initially called out on strikes, but after a successful challenge, he was rightfully awarded a walk. Daniel Schneemann then hit the next pitch for a two-run homer that gave Cleveland the lead.
Also in the game, Guardians catcher Austin Hedges successfully challenged three calls, turning balls into strikes, resulting in two strikeouts by Rays power hitter Junior Caminero. Unfortunately, after the bullpen blew the lead, Cleveland lost 3-2 for its first three-game losing streak of the season.
Afterward, Guardians manager Stephen Vogt praised Fry and Hedges for their decisions and urged the team to keep being aggressive in using their ABS challenges.
“David [Fry] with the huge 3-2 pitch that got us a run,” Vogt said. “’Hedgie’ flipped a number of at-bats tonight. We want our guys to continue to be aggressive and use [the ABS challenge] and let’s win as many as we can.”
Teams must be careful not to be too aggressive, however, and have to weigh the value of an early-inning challenge compared to one later in the game. Each team is only allowed two unsuccessful challenges, so wasting one on a non-determinative pitch could be costly.
So far this season, the Guardians rank 28th in the majors with an ABS challenge success rate of 44.8 percent. Despite Hedges’ proficiency, he does not rank among the top 20 in challenges by a catcher, with Mitch Garver of the Seattle Mariners posting a league-best rate of 90.9 percent for those who have made more than 10.
Cleveland also does not have a batter ranked among the top 20. Teoscar Hernandez of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Nick Kurtz of the Athletic are both 4-for-4 as the only remaining perfect hitters.
Hopefully, Vogt’s mandated approach will lead to more successful challenges for the Guardians in the future.
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