Bailey not missing a beat with ABS Challenge System

SURPRISE, Ariz. – When a batter, catcher or pitcher taps their cap or helmet to activate the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System this Spring Training, it is almost like a roulette for fans to watch the scoreboard and see what numbers come up.

The roulette has been going in Giants catcher Patrick Bailey’s favor so far, but it is not due to chance. It is due to adjustment.

“I’ve been doing well … just trying to get a feel for the zone,” Bailey said. “Framing still [matters], especially the 50-50 balls close to the zone, but I think catchers that have a really good feel for the zone will end up having probably the best scores. So that's something I'm trying to figure out.”

The two-time Gold Glove winner currently ranks fifth in the challenge system this spring as a challenger, posting a 3.5 net score after winning seven of nine challenges. Across Spring Training, teams have a 51% overturn success rate, compared to Bailey's 78%.

With the ABS system arriving for the Major League regular season in 2026, Bailey’s early comfort with it may offer a preview of how a catcher’s feel for the strike zone, and the confidence to challenge calls, could influence entire lineups.

The system monitors the exact location of each pitch relative to the batter’s strike zone. It has been tested in the Minor Leagues since 2022 and in Major League Spring Training last year.

San Francisco manager Tony Vitello said Bailey’s presence behind the plate has already made an impact.

“He's been an X-factor back there,” Vitello said. “With the ABS, [it becomes] even more important how good of a receiver he is.”

Bailey’s influence has also helped some teammates shake early hesitation about challenging calls.

“I'd like to give our other guys credit too,” Vitello said. “A couple times we've been on the other guys about being gun shy … Maybe Bailey's coaching them up a little bit and educating them.”

While Bailey’s work with the challenge system has stood out, Vitello has also noticed improvement at the plate after Bailey struggled offensively last season, slashing .222/.277/.325 across 135 games.

This spring, Bailey is batting .333 with seven hits and just one strikeout in 21 at-bats after the Giants’ 5-2 win over the Royals on Wednesday at Surprise Stadium.

“A lot of it's just been using the lower half and just having more intent with the swing,” Bailey said. “We've been talking to [hitting coach] Hunter [Mense] a lot about approaches and that's something that we've been doing more this spring than in the past.”

For Vitello, defense remains the foundation behind the plate, whether it’s game management, calming pitchers or building trust within the team.

The Giants are still evaluating who will serve as Bailey’s backup. Vitello said the club currently has “zero” clarity on the No. 2 catcher role, though Jesus Rodriguez has been impressive both offensively and defensively this spring.

Rodriguez is slashing .364/.440/.636 across 22 at-bats and has won both of his challenges so far.

“It's been really fun watching Rodriguez swing the bat the last few days, I can tell you that,” Vitello said. “With him, it's not as many [ABS challenges], but when he decides to do it, it's been in crucial moments. And so it's been encouraging to see [that] out of that group.”

Even as technology continues to evolve around the strike zone, the fundamentals of the position will remain unchanged. The catcher position will always carry value, Vitello said, as it remains – in his view – the most difficult spot on the field.

“We've talked about automated umpiring and things like that, but the bottom line is trust is a key between teammates, and especially between pitcher and catcher,” Vitello said. “That trust is always going to be there.”