SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Rangers right-hander Cole Winn has challenged a pitch only once using the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System.
“The one time I did a couple years ago [with Triple-A Round Rock], it was way off,” Winn recalled. “I thought I painted it down and away, and it was like six inches off. So I told myself I'd never challenge again.”
The ABS Challenge System has been tested in the Minor Leagues since 2022 and in Major League Spring Training. Now, the system will make its big league debut on Opening Day 2026.
“I think it really kind of makes everybody better all around,” said Rangers outfielder Evan Carter, who earned the nickname "Full Count Carter" because of his tremendous feel for the strike zone. “I've noticed that umpires are more locked in and accurate because they know that we can challenge. At the end of the day too, we're going to be more locked in because we know that we have the opportunity to overturn a call. I think that anybody who knows the zone well enough to overturn a call should be able to have the opportunity to do so.”
The Rangers had a full team meeting ahead of Friday’s Cactus League opener regarding the best uses of the system, both during Spring Training and down the line in the regular season. Manager Skip Schumaker said that the big league staff has had multiple conversations with both the Triple-A staff and the research and development department in order to further understand the system and how it can be used to their benefit.
“Like any new rule implemented it is going to be interesting to see how it plays out in Spring Training,” Schumaker said. “I like it for the players so you see who understands it, who knows the strike zone. Then we can navigate, who's allowed to use it, so to speak. ... I think the conversation a lot of times is not being selfish. Nobody on, two outs, 3-2 count in the fourth inning, is it time to use a challenge there? Or do you want to wait until the game is on the line, 3-2 count with Corey Seager on deck? So I think that type of conversation is happening.”
Winn said he believes pitchers should allow the catchers to do all the challenging. Rangers catcher Kyle Higashioka said he’s more likely to use it behind the plate than he is as a hitter. The hitters as a collective will have to evaluate the best time to use it.
In Spring Training, the Rangers will likely use more challenges in the early parts of a game when the starters are available. In the regular season, it will primarily be used in high-leverage situations.
“There's no reason to challenge something if it's not going to impact the team in a positive way,” said third baseman Josh Jung. “If it's not going to move a runner or give us a better chance to win, there's really no point in challenging that. It's going to be a learning curve, but we've had some dialogue.”
Guys like Carter and outfielder Wyatt Langford, with elite feel of the strike zone, would be optimal players to utilize the system the most. Other veterans like Seager, Joc Pederson and Brandon Nimmo aren’t far behind.
But that’s what Spring Training is for, figuring out how to best use the system to your advantage.
“I think there are definitely some veteran guys that will get the benefit of the doubt that you can trust,” Schumaker said. “As we move forward into the season, you start building trust more and more, or less, however you want to spin it. Again, this is so new to everybody that I think, you know, we're trying to figure out exactly how to go about it. That's why I think the Triple-A staff and hitters and pitchers are so crucial to talk to and talk through this thing so you understand what you're getting yourself into.”