Yankees' Aaron Judge Already Benefiting from MLB ABS Challenge System

The new challenge system is helping the 6-foot-7 slugger against low strike calls.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The New York Yankees are practicing with Major League Baseball's new ABS (Automated Ball-Strike) challenge system, which allows players to challenge pitch calls. During a recent spring training workout, Yankees star Aaron Judge was able to successfully challenge a called strike that was low and outside, leading to the call being reversed. The new system should help Judge, who stands at 6-foot-7, combat difficult low strike zone calls from umpires.

Why it matters

The ABS challenge system is a significant new rule change for MLB that aims to improve the accuracy of ball and strike calls, especially for tall players like Judge who have historically struggled with low strike zone calls from umpires. This could have a major impact on Judge's performance and the Yankees' success, as he is a two-time AL MVP.

The details

During a spring training workout, Yankees reliever Paul Blackburn struck out Judge looking on a pitch that was deemed low and outside. Judge challenged the call, and the scoreboard showed the pitch was indeed out of the strike zone, leading the umpire to reverse the call. One pitch later, Judge singled to left field. MLB teams will receive two challenges per game during spring training and the regular season, and successful challenges will be retained.

  • On February 18, 2026, the Yankees used official umpires for the first time this spring during live at-bats.

The players

Aaron Judge

A 6-foot-7 right fielder for the New York Yankees and a two-time American League MVP.

Aaron Boone

The manager of the New York Yankees.

Marty Foster

A Major League Baseball umpire.

Paul Blackburn

A relief pitcher for the New York Yankees.

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What they’re saying

“That ball is down f--king down,”

— Aaron Boone, New York Yankees manager

“He's 6 f--king 7!”

— Aaron Boone, New York Yankees manager

What’s next

MLB teams will be able to use the ABS challenge system during spring training and the 2026 regular season, which could have a significant impact on players like Aaron Judge who have historically struggled with low strike zone calls.

The takeaway

The new ABS challenge system in MLB is a game-changer for tall players like Aaron Judge, who can now challenge borderline low strike calls that have previously gone against them. This should help improve the accuracy of ball and strike calls and could have a major impact on Judge's performance and the Yankees' success going forward.