Padres Navigating Nuances of New Automated Ball-Strike System

Manager Craig Stammen wants his team to be more aggressive in challenging calls, but hitters are still adjusting to the new technology.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 12:19am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The San Diego Padres are still getting a feel for how to best utilize the new Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system in their games this season. Manager Craig Stammen would like to see his team challenge more pitches, but acknowledges it's a lot for hitters to grasp in the heat of the moment. The Padres have been conservative with their challenges so far, going 2-for-3 on offense and 3-for-5 on defense. Stammen noted that the most impactful moments often come before the final innings, making it crucial for hitters to understand the nuances of the new system.

Why it matters

The ABS system is a major change for MLB this season, and how teams navigate its challenges could have a significant impact on close games. The Padres want to ensure they're using their challenges effectively, but the learning curve for hitters is steep, especially in high-pressure situations.

The details

The Padres have a color-coded sheet in the dugout to help guide their challenge decisions, similar to NFL coaches' go-for-2 sheets. However, Stammen acknowledged it's a lot for hitters to process in the heat of the moment, as they're also trying to focus on getting a hit. Tatis Jr. did not challenge a called strike in the 9th inning on Monday that appeared to be outside the zone, which ended up being a key moment in the Padres' 3-2 loss to the Giants.

  • On Monday, Tatis Jr. did not challenge a called strike in the top of the 9th inning that appeared to be outside the zone.
  • Griffin Canning, the Padres' injured right-hander, threw 50 pitches in a simulated game on Monday at low Single-A Lake Elsinore.

The players

Craig Stammen

The manager of the San Diego Padres, who is encouraging his team to be more aggressive in challenging calls with the new Automated Ball-Strike system.

Fernando Tatis Jr.

One of the Padres' best hitters, who did not challenge a called strike in a key 9th inning at-bat on Monday.

Griffin Canning

The Padres' injured right-handed pitcher, who is progressing in his rehab and threw a 50-pitch simulated game on Monday.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I'd like to see us finish the game with no challenges left, or at least challenge a little bit more.”

— Craig Stammen, Padres Manager

“There's also a piece of these guys taking an at bat and not wanting some external circumstances to be thinking about, like, should I challenge this pitch or not? It's more like, 'I'm going to get a hit. I got to figure out a way to get on base.' You're battling those two like personas in their head. You want a clear mind, simple thoughts, but then we're also asking them like, 'No, you need to know the strike zone. No, you got a challenge too, and you got to do it immediately.'”

— Craig Stammen, Padres Manager

What’s next

Griffin Canning's next rehab appearance will be a start for Double-A San Antonio in Tulsa on Saturday.

The takeaway

The Padres are still adjusting to the nuances of the new Automated Ball-Strike system, as hitters struggle to balance their focus on getting hits with the need to understand and effectively use their challenge opportunities. Effective use of the ABS system could be a key factor in close games this season.