Giants' Catcher Patrick Bailey Poised to Make MLB History on Opening Day

Bailey could be the first player to challenge a ball-strike call under the new ABS system.

Mar. 25, 2026 at 10:38am by Ben Kaplan

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San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey has a chance to make history on Opening Day against the New York Yankees. The 2026 MLB season will be the first to feature the new Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) challenge system, which allows catchers, pitchers, and batters to challenge umpire calls. As one of the best defensive catchers in baseball, Bailey is seen as a prime candidate to be the first player to initiate a challenge under the new rules.

Why it matters

The ABS challenge system is a significant rule change for MLB, and the first player to use it will make history. As a top defensive catcher, Bailey is well-positioned to be that player, which could draw extra attention to the Giants-Yankees season opener.

The details

The ABS challenge system gives each team a limited number of challenges per game, which they can use to dispute ball-strike calls made by the umpire. Catchers are seen as the most likely to utilize the new rule, as they have the best view of pitches and are more likely to successfully challenge calls. Giants starter Logan Webb's movement-heavy fastball could create some added deception, potentially leading to missed calls that Bailey may choose to challenge.

  • The 2026 MLB regular season will open on Wednesday, March 26, 2026.
  • The Giants will host the Yankees in the first game of the season.

The players

Patrick Bailey

A catcher for the San Francisco Giants who is considered one of the best defensive catchers in baseball and a prime candidate to be the first player to challenge a call under the new ABS system.

Logan Webb

The starting pitcher for the San Francisco Giants, known for his movement-heavy fastball that could lead to missed calls that Bailey may choose to challenge.

Austin Wells

The catcher for the New York Yankees, also a potential candidate to be the first player to challenge a call under the new ABS system.

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What they’re saying

“Everyone will be waiting to see who makes that historic first challenge. Will it be one of the two catchers, Patrick Bailey or Austin Wells? They're the most obvious candidates. Catchers get way more opportunities to challenge than batters, and are way more likely to challenge -- and challenge successfully -- than pitchers. Bailey will have the first crack in the top of the first, receiving pitches from Logan Webb.”

— David Adler, MLB.com writer

What’s next

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The takeaway

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