ABS Challenge System shocks Rockies with surprising outcome vs. Blue Jays

The Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System is new to the MLB, having officially launched in 2026 after several years of testing in the Minor Leagues.

The goal is to enable players to challenge ball and strike calls made by the home plate umpire, with each team initially given two challenges. Successful challenges are kept, while unsuccessful ones are forfeited.

In Wednesday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Rockies catcher Brett Sullivan challenged a 1-2 offering from Kyle Freeland. The pitch appeared to clip the outside part of the zone with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at the plate.

What happened next is something we likely won't witness too often.

Upon further review, and as seen in the X (formerly Twitter) post, the ball was just off the plate by <0.1", which is practically unheard of. Fortunately for the Rockies, the controversial call didn't impact the at-bat. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. grounded out to the shortstop two pitches later. He grounded out on a changeup that was a little low, but a great pitch from Freeland nonetheless.

The ABS Challenge System has already produced some amazing moments early in the season, including the Red Sox vs. Reds game where home plate umpire C.B. Bucknor had six strike calls overturned.

In that same game, Eugenio Suarez had two consecutive strikeout calls overturned by the ABS system in a high-leverage moment for the Red Sox with the bases loaded, but unfortunately grounded out on the seventh pitch of the at-bat.

New York Yankees shortstop Jose Caballero made MLB history as the first player this season to challenge a ball or strike, doing so in their Opening Day game against the Giants. He challenged a first-pitch strike in the fourth inning, which was ultimately upheld.

Here's hoping the Rockies have more success with the ABS Challenge System going forward.