SAN FRANCISCO — Spring Training Insights on Yankees’ ABS Usage
This spring, the Yankees gathered more extensive data for their automated ball-striking systems than any other MLB team.
The phase of trial and error has concluded, but Aaron Boone is keen on maintaining a level of aggressiveness, though he wants it to be measured.
As the Yankees kick off their regular season on Wednesday against the Giants at Oracle Park, they plan to utilize the automated ball-strike system (ABS) more in crucial games, aiming to capitalize on its potential.
“I really think this will go well,” Boone mentioned just hours before the game began. “That’s the hope. I expect we will continue to adapt as the season unfolds. My perspective now may differ somewhat from when I first started.” There’s a certain understanding that things will keep changing, and they will strive to maximize those changes.
During spring training, the Yankees attempted 102 challenges—the highest in the league—and secured 54 wins. Their batters had a success rate of 49 percent (49 out of 24), while pitchers and catchers combined had a 57 percent success rate (53 out of 30).
Looking ahead to the season, Boone stated there would be no strict rules governing who can challenge calls. However, he did discuss the topic with players towards the end of spring training.
“I’ve told some pitchers, ‘That’s not really encouraged,'” Boone noted. “But we’ve handled it well this spring. It’s tricky to assess overall at this stage, especially for some veteran players who might push boundaries a bit more. But we’re optimistic.”
“Essentially, we want our guys to develop an intuitive understanding of leverage. It’s crucial to be aggressive, but there are certainly moments where trying something uncertain isn’t the best course of action. Our pitchers have mostly done well with it. I’m not completely against them challenging, but I do want them to trust their catchers.”
Some pitchers have expressed that emotional reactions on the mound can hinder their ability to challenge calls, believing every pitch to be a strike and struggling to gauge pitches across the plate.
Teams are allowed two challenges per game; if successful, they retain them. Although there’s a tendency to save challenges for high-pressure situations later in the game, Boone emphasized that significant moments can arise even in the early innings. He wishes for his players to keep leverage in mind when deciding whether to challenge.
Coach Boone also provides immediate, candid feedback to his players regarding their challenges throughout the season.
“When something occurs, I’ve been upfront with them. If it’s a good call, I acknowledge it; if it’s bad, I don’t hold back. I’ll say, ‘That was really poor—like a 10 out of 10 bad,'” Boone explained. “I told Caballero last week, ‘No. That was terrible.’ It’s a continuous learning experience, and I believe everyone is starting to get the hang of it.”
While the incorporation of ABS may reduce on-field confrontations among managers, Boone, who has historically led the American League in ejections, doubts it will eliminate them entirely. “I’m sure there will still be moments,” he remarked with a smile.
