Yankees' Aaron Judge already benefiting from MLB ABS challenge system originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
"That ball is down f—ing down," New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone yelled at home plate umpire Marty Foster during a game in 2022, defending Aaron Judge after a strikeout. "He's 6 f—ing 7!"
Hopefully, Boone no longer has to break his vocal cords to get his point across. Not all strike zones are the same, but Judge's height makes it difficult for umpires to evaluate low pitches against the 6-foot-7 right fielder.
Major League Baseball's implementation of the ABS challenge system should help Judge's case. The back-to-back AL MVP now has the power to challenge a pitch called a strike he believes was a ball.
Judge reaping the benefits of ABS challenge system
The Yankees used official umpires for the first time this spring during live at-bats on Wednesday. Previous workouts involved Boone calling balls and strikes behind a screen past the pitcher's mound.
During today's workout, reliever Paul Blackburn struck out Judge looking — until he didn't. Judge challenged the pitch, and the call was reversed, as the scoreboard at George M. Steinbrenner Field showed Blackburn's offering was low and outside.
Aaron Judge was rung up by the home plate umpire. He challenged the call and won. A full look at the process below. He then follows it up with a single pic.twitter.com/s0SMNyr7PL— Chris Kirschner (@ChrisKirschner) February 18, 2026
One pitch later, Judge roped a single to left field. MLB clubs will receive two challenges per game during spring training and the regular season, and successful attempts are retained.
More MLB news:
- New York Yankees trade pitch lands another proven veteran and the price is cheaper than most would think
- Atlanta Braves trade proposal swaps Ozzie Albies with best hitter at position in Major League Baseball
- Baltimore Orioles trade proposal answers biggest question by landing right-hander who throws 100 MPH
- Ex-Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer seemingly takes shot at MLBPA after latest news
- Former Yankees, Reds, A's outfielder agrees to $4M deal with Padres