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Twins catcher Victor Caratini successfully tricked Red Sox batter Andruw Monasterio into wasting an ABS challenge by framing a pitch outside the strike zone. This clever tactic highlights the strategic gamesmanship emerging with MLB's automated strike zone system.
When MLB launched its automated strike zone (ABS) challenge system, the challenge limit was always going to force teams into taking a strategic approach around deploying those challenges.
Well, it was only a matter of time until teams would come up with some gamesmanship for ABS. Twins catcher Victor Caratini did just that this week, and it was brilliant.
One of the consequences of ABS is that it kind of negates the need for catchers to frame pitches (unless the team is out of challenges). They generally have a good sense of the strike zone, so if an umpire misses a call, the catcher can simply initiate a challenge. But a bad frame job can really throw off the batter when he looks back on a taken pitch.
Caratini put that to the test with Red Sox infielder Andruw Monasterio at the plate, and it worked to perfection. Caratini wildly framed his glove outside the strike zone on a strikeout call, baiting Monasterio to challenge a pitch that was comfortably in the strike zone.
The look of embarrassment was so real, and Caratini knew exactly what he was doing there.
So, just like that, the Red Sox lost their challenge and Monasterio had himself a shameful walk back to the dugout.
We'll surely see other catchers take a similar approach. Those challenges are precious resources, and if catchers can get a batter to waste one on an obvious strike, it makes the pitcher's job so much easier.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Twins catcher cleverly tricked batter into wasting ABS challenge
Victor Caratini framed a pitch outside the strike zone, prompting Monasterio to challenge a call that was actually a strike.
The ABS challenge system allows teams to contest umpire calls on pitches, but teams must be strategic due to a limited number of challenges.
The ABS challenge system reduces the need for catchers to frame pitches, as they can challenge missed calls directly, but it also opens up opportunities for strategic gamesmanship.

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