Top 25 MLB Story Lines, Milestones, and Trends to Watch in 2025
MLB’s 2025 spring training debuts an Automated Ball-Strike system that allows two challenges per game, with further reviews hinting at a potential regular season rollout in 2026.
Published on April 8, 2025
Spring training in 2025 is paving the way for MLB’s new Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system, a technology that lets pitchers, catchers, and batters challenge ball and strike calls. In this trial phase, every team (though not every ballpark) will get the chance to experiment with the system that has been developed through minor league experience. When a challenge is made, a video replay quickly indicates whether the pitch followed the strike zone, similar to tennis line calls, with each team allowed two challenges per game.
Recent reports add more color to the unfolding story. On February 21, 2025, Reuters noted that during a Cubs-Dodgers spring opener, the debut of the automated system saw a notable challenge by Cubs pitcher Cody Poteet. Around the same time, another Reuters article mentioned that Reds manager Terry Francona had asked his veteran players to forgo ABS challenges, preferring to let minor league players get accustomed to the new technology. While the system is not expected in the regular season this year, further reviews by MLB and player feedback suggest it could be implemented by 2026.