Soto and McLean Settle Call with Rock-Paper-Scissors

MLB players find creative way to resolve disagreement during live batting practice

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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In a lighthearted moment during a live batting practice session, MLB players Juan Soto and Nolan McLean settled a disputed call by playing a quick game of rock-paper-scissors, with Soto emerging victorious.

Why it matters

The incident highlights the adjustments players are making to MLB's new Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System, as well as the competitive spirit and camaraderie between top players like Soto and McLean.

The details

When McLean and Soto disagreed on a call during the live batting practice session, rather than argue, they decided to settle it with a game of rock-paper-scissors. Soto won the contest, earning a ball on a pitch that could have gone either way. The exchange happened organically, with Soto stepping up to McLean and initiating the impromptu game.

  • The incident occurred during a live batting practice session on Friday, February 20, 2026.

The players

Juan Soto

A star outfielder for the Washington Nationals, known for his competitive spirit and excellent batting eye.

Nolan McLean

A promising young pitcher in the New York Mets organization, who was facing off against Soto during the live batting practice session.

J.P. Arencibia

The umpire overseeing the live batting practice session where the Soto-McLean dispute took place.

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What they’re saying

“First time for everything,”

— Juan Soto (mlb.com)

“That's my first one. I've got to work on my game, I guess, rock-paper-scissors.”

— Nolan McLean (mlb.com)

“He was like, 'Man, I was waiting on some kind of spin, and you never threw it to me.' I guess I was playing a little bit of mind games with him. It was a lot of fun.”

— Nolan McLean (mlb.com)

What’s next

As players continue to adapt to the new Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System, it remains to be seen if more creative dispute resolution methods like rock-paper-scissors will become a common occurrence during spring training and the regular season.

The takeaway

The lighthearted exchange between Soto and McLean showcases the competitive spirit and camaraderie among top MLB players, even as they navigate the changes brought by the new automated umpiring system.