Giants Set to Make History with First-Ever Ball-Strike Challenge

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Regardless of how it turns out, the Giants will play a pivotal role in the MLB’s history this Wednesday. They’ll be at the center of the first-ever ball-strike challenge.

If the six-week trial during spring training is anything to go by, it may work to their advantage. As long as Patrick Bailey gives a signal by tapping his catcher’s mask.

“I figured he would adapt well to the ABS system,” said reliever Ryan Walker.

ABS, which stands for Automated Ball-Strike, allows teams to challenge at least two pitches per game. It relies on the same Hawkeye technology used for Statcast data to evaluate whether a pitch lands in the strike zone, adjusting for the batter’s height.

“I never try,” Walker added. “It’s Patrick Bailey’s call.”

When discussions about fully automating the strike zone began, there were worries it might diminish Bailey’s value. He’s known for his exceptional skill in pitch framing, and it seems this compromise boosts his unique abilities.

Bailey has displayed a knack for assessing which pitches are worth challenging.

“Look, I get it, this sounds cliché,” Bailey remarked. “But teams can technically challenge every pitch if they play it smart. You only lose a challenge when it’s unsuccessful.”

“It might sound silly, but if you nail it, there’s no downside. That’s been my approach this spring: just make the right call.”

During spring training, seven other catchers met Bailey’s success rate, but he led in attempts going 10-for-14. The only catcher with a higher success rate was the Padres’ Freddie Firmin, who managed 12-for-16.

Having Bailey back should keep the Giants’ pitchers on track.

“I suppose it’ll fall on Patty,” said reliever Spencer Bivens, who recently tried a challenge but didn’t succeed. Starting pitcher Landen Loop echoed this sentiment, stating Bailey “knows the strike zone exceptionally well.”

Moreover, Bailey has a way of making it seem effortless from 60 feet, 6 inches away.

“He really knows what he’s doing,” Walker noted. “He can throw me off easily.”

First-year manager Tony Vitello has been strategic about not revealing his full strategy regarding the Giants’ challenge process. Some pitchers reported that discussions about ABS strategies don’t happen often. During meetings, however, Vitello used images of pitches on the scoreboard to illustrate when to challenge.

He expressed a desire to reserve at least one challenge for later in the game.

“It can impact the game in numerous ways,” Vitello said. “But I’d prefer to keep that discussion back for now.”

As teams adapt to the new system, various strategies will likely reveal themselves. Bailey could use his pitch-calling expertise to mislead batters into unnecessary challenges. Vitello noticed that fans’ loudest reactions came when the opposing team ran out of challenges during one spring game.

“The challenge system’s intriguing. There’s definitely a strategy involved,” veteran starter Robbie Ray commented. The primary issue for Ray, who throws high fastballs, is adjusting to the ever-changing strike zone depending on the batter.

He suggested that teams might consider varying batting lineups by height rather than handedness to keep pitchers on their toes.

“Each hitter influences the strike zone differently,” he added. “That’s why leaning on Patty or another catcher to help you out is the right move.”

Daniel Suszak, a Rule 5 pick expected to join the Giants as the other catcher, performed well in the spring’s challenges, going 4-for-8. He spent last season adjusting to the ABS system in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League.

“The biggest takeaway is to not get too emotional,” Suszak shared. “Just because you miss a strike doesn’t mean you should always challenge it.”

If it doesn’t impact stats like on-base percentage or ERA, it’s easier to maintain a level-headed approach. This likely explains why catchers succeeded in 96% of the 956 challenges, while their success rate was 59%, whereas batters stuck around 45%.

“We’ve got a better perspective than anyone else on the field,” Bailey remarked. “I’d argue we have a clearer view than even umpires.”

Forget playing the inch game. Some calls this spring were swayed by mere tenths of an inch.

“We’re lucky to have Bailey on our side,” Vitello said about the two-time Gold Glove winner. “If anything, it really highlights his skills.”

The challenge process is straightforward. Either the batter, catcher, or pitcher signals a challenge by touching the top of their head. An animation displaying the pitch’s location will appear on the scoreboard, and the home plate umpire announces the outcome over the loudspeaker.

While it will undoubtedly be a novelty for fans, the challenge has become a routine element of the game since the system launched at the start of spring training.

Across 414 spring exhibition games, there were about 4.3 challenges per game.

As for Bailey’s system effectiveness so far, he joked, “It doesn’t really mean anything yet.” But starting Wednesday, at Oracle Park, the challenge will take on a new level of significance.

“It’s a fantastic addition,” Vitello stated. “Initially, I was uncertain. I believe the strike zone is a bit constricted, and many would agree. But this adds an exciting dynamic, along with a strategic layer.”