CLEVELAND, Ohio — The landscape of Major League Baseball is on the brink of transformation with the upcoming implementation of the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System, and Guardians catcher Austin Hedges firmly believes that teams who excel in utilizing this technology will secure a significant competitive edge. This innovative system, set to be officially launched for the 2026 season, enables players to challenge certain ball and strike calls while maintaining human umpires as the primary decision-makers behind home plate.
"The teams that master this system will undoubtedly find themselves with a competitive edge that can directly influence wins and losses," Hedges stated, highlighting the seriousness with which the Guardians are approaching their preparation.
Cleveland's catching staff, which includes Hedges, Bo Naylor, and David Fry, has been working diligently on specialized training methods during the offseason. However, Hedges was cautious not to disclose too much about their techniques during a recent Zoom press call.
"I’m hesitant to share too many details because there’s definitely a competitive advantage to training in ways that hopefully other teams haven’t caught up to yet," he explained, hinting at the strategic importance of their preparations.
The introduction of the challenge system marks a fundamental shift in how catchers operate when receiving pitches. Traditionally, catchers have focused on the skill of 'framing'—the subtle art of making borderline pitches appear as strikes through slight adjustments in glove positioning. Hedges, with over a decade of experience in the majors, has been one of the few individuals to truly excel at this craft, but the arrival of ABS presents a challenge to its relevance. With technology taking precedence over human judgment in challenges, Hedges recognizes that his skills will need to adapt accordingly.
"In the past, you aimed to get every borderline pitch called as a strike, manipulating the umpire’s perception. Now, it’s about ensuring we don’t lose any strikes. If a pitch is a strike, it needs to be recognized as such or else I must challenge it because I know it was valid," Hedges elaborated, emphasizing the new mentality required of catchers.
This paradigm shift necessitates that catchers develop an acute awareness of the precise dimensions of the strike zone. To build this understanding among both catchers and hitters, the Guardians have incorporated a Trajekt machine into their training—an advanced pitching robot capable of simulating various pitchers’ deliveries and release points.
With each team limited to only two challenges per game, the stakes are high, and every decision becomes crucial. "Starting with two challenges is beneficial as it forces you to be very certain about your choice," Hedges remarked, likening the experience to the tension seen in tennis matches, where challenges are infrequent yet thrilling for spectators. "Fans will enjoy seeing the challenge feature on the scoreboard, but they wouldn’t want it happening 32 times in a game," he added, highlighting the balance between strategy and entertainment.
The Guardians’ commitment to thorough preparation underscores their belief that mastering the ABS Challenge System could yield a significant advantage within a competitive division. Many players have been training together at Progressive Field this offseason, demonstrating a collective dedication to adjusting to the new regulations.
As baseball continues to evolve through technological advancements, the Guardians are resolutely focused on leveraging the ABS Challenge System as a tool for competitive success rather than merely adapting to a new set of rules. This adaptability could prove pivotal in critical game moments throughout the season.
"We’ve had numerous players coming into Cleveland for training this year, which is really exciting," Hedges said. "I feel optimistic about our preparations, and I can’t wait to gather the whole team for spring training and dive into our work."
Joe Noga brings over 25 years of experience in Cleveland sports media, having covered the Browns, Cavaliers, and Indians/Guardians, along with local high school and college sports.
