Royals' Salvador Perez Leads MLB in Successful ABS Challenges

Kansas City catcher tops league in overturned calls through first weekend of new automated strike zone system

Mar. 30, 2026 at 5:57pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball catcher in a crouched stance, with their equipment and the field in the background broken down into abstracted, overlapping shapes and planes, conceptually representing the strategic adjustments required by players and teams to the new automated ball-strike technology.Perez's deft handling of the new automated strike zone system has given the Royals an early advantage in the 2026 MLB season.Kansas City Today

Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez has been the most effective player in Major League Baseball at successfully challenging calls made by the new Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system through the first weekend of the 2026 season. Perez went a perfect 4-0 on his ABS challenges, the most of any player in the league.

Why it matters

The ABS system, which uses advanced computer vision and tracking technology to automatically call balls and strikes, has been a major point of discussion and debate in baseball this offseason. Perez's early success in navigating the new system could give the Royals an advantage, as teams and players continue to adapt to the changes.

The details

Perez's perfect 4-0 record on ABS challenges was the best in MLB over the opening weekend. The veteran catcher was able to get several close pitches overturned in the Royals' favor, helping the team secure wins in their first series of the year.

  • The 2026 MLB season began on March 28th.
  • The first weekend of games, including the Royals' series, took place from March 28-30.

The players

Salvador Perez

The starting catcher for the Kansas City Royals, a 7-time MLB All-Star and 4-time Gold Glove winner.

Kansas City Royals

A professional baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri, and a member of the American League Central division of Major League Baseball.

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What they’re saying

“Sal has always been one of the best at framing pitches and getting calls. The new ABS system is an adjustment for everyone, but he's proven he can still work the zone to our advantage.”

— Mike Matheny, Manager, Kansas City Royals

What’s next

The Royals will look to continue their strong start and Perez's success with the ABS system as they face the Chicago White Sox in their next series, beginning on April 1st.

The takeaway

Veteran catcher Salvador Perez's early mastery of the new Automated Ball-Strike system has given the Kansas City Royals an edge in the first weekend of the 2026 MLB season, highlighting how some players may adapt quicker than others to the league's technological changes.