Major League Baseball ABS system is quietly impacting teams in 2026

The introduction of the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system is already changing the landscape of Major League Baseball in 2026—and some teams are adapting faster than others. With a more consistent strike zone and fewer missed calls, the ABS system is rewarding teams that combine pitch command, plate discipline, and smart game planning. And early in the season, a clear group of teams has emerged as the biggest beneficiaries.

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Here’s a look at the top 10 teams in success rate using ABS so far

Apr 4, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; The ABS system during the game as the Texas Rangers challenge a call against the Cincinnati Reds at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

• Reds (70%)

• Mets, Padres (64%)

• Royals, Tigers (63%)

• Phillies (62%)

• Diamondbacks (61%)

• Cardinals (60%)

• Rangers, Twins (59%)

What we are learning:

Apr 3, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; The main scoreboard at Yankee Stadium shows a confirmed call of a ball using the ABS system during the first inning between the New York Yankees and the Miami Marlins. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

There’s a clear pattern among these teams:

• Pitchers with command are thriving
• Hitters with discipline are gaining an edge
• Teams that relied on “borderline calls” are being exposed

The ABS system is removing human variability—and that’s rewarding teams built on fundamentals.

On the flip side, teams that relied on:

• Expanding the strike zone
• Pitch framing
• Getting favorable umpire calls

now find life a bit more difficult in 2026.

The Bigger Picture

The ABS operator sits in the press box at LECOM Park during a spring training game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Philadelphia Phillies on Friday, Mar. 7, 2025. Major League Baseball is testing an Automated Ball-Stike (ABS) challenge system at select spring training parks. The system allows players to challenge a limited number of ball/stike calls during a game. Calls can be overturned if the pitch tracking technology shows an umpire got a call wrong.

This isn’t just a short-term trend—it could reshape how teams are built. Front offices are already taking notes. If ABS is here to stay, expect even more emphasis on:

• Strike zone discipline
• Pitch command over velocity
• Smarter, more efficient at-bats

The ABS system isn’t just changing calls—it’s changing outcomes. And early in 2026, the teams that are winning aren’t just the most talented—they’re the most disciplined. Because in a game where every pitch now gets called the same way, the teams that control the zone… control the game.

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