The Automatic Ball-Strike System (ABS) was introduced in 2019 and has since been a subject of discussion and controversy. After its initial implementation in Atlantic League Baseball, it has since been used in the minor leagues and is now used in Major League Baseball. The system has now had more than a month of data in the majors, and the Marlins have so far initiated more ABS challenges as the fielding team than any other team in baseball.
Has The ABS Worked for the Marlins in 2026?
The Marlins’ trigger-happy use of ABS has seen this new technology produce both positive and negative results. Marlins catchers are getting more strikes for their pitchers than any other team. Despite his struggles at the plate this season, Agustin Ramirez, who was recently demoted to AAA, has been one of the top catchers in the league when it comes to ABS. His 22 successful challenges rank 2nd among catchers, with Will Smith of the Dodgers the only catcher with more. He also ranks 2nd in successful challenge percentage among catchers with more than 15 challenge attempts.
Platoon catcher Liam Hicks has not had as good a season with ABS, but has still had 17 successful challenges, which ranks 9th in the league. All this to say, the Marlins backstops have had a pretty decent year with the new technology, which checks out compared to the rest of the league. Catchers have been the most successful with ABS this season (as was expected). In the first month of the season, catchers had more challenges and a higher success rate than both batters and pitchers.
The Hitting Side of ABS
When it comes to the hitting side, it is the complete opposite for the Marlins. They are tied for last in challenges initiated and have the fewest successful challenges by hitters in baseball. Their lack of challenges at the plate may signal a message from manager Clayton McCullough, as their tendencies differ drastically at the plate versus behind the plate.
The Marlins seem to be one of the only teams that are this extreme in the frequency of their challenges. According to Baseball Savant statistics, the Marlins are one of only six MLB teams to be in the bottom half when it comes to challenge percentage at the plate and in the top half when it comes to challenge percentage in the field.
The season is still young, and it is yet to be seen why this is the case. Research shows that the overall walk percentage is up among MLB teams, and although the sample size is small so far, the Marlins have been awarded a free base more often than in the 2025 season. As more challenges arise and more statistics are calculated over the course of the season, it will become clearer how this change affects pitchers, catchers, and hitters, and what this will mean for the game of baseball in the long term. As for right now, it is safe to say that the Marlins have had a pretty mixed time with ABS.
Main Photo Credits: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images
