As Major League Baseball continues its gradual implementation of automated ball-strike (ABS) technology, Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona has made his stance clear—veteran players should refrain from using the challenge system during spring training, allowing younger players more exposure to the process.
Francona, known for his pragmatic approach to managing, believes that allowing minor-league players to engage with the ABS challenge system will better prepare them for the evolving rules of the game. Many of Cincinnati’s prospects have already experienced the ABS system at various levels of minor-league play, where it has been tested extensively. By contrast, established major-league players are largely unfamiliar with it.
“I’d rather our veterans focus on adjusting to the season without leaning on the challenge system,” Francona said. “For some of these younger guys, though, it’s something they’ve been dealing with for a while. Letting them get reps with it makes sense.”
Under MLB’s trial format, players have the ability to challenge a limited number of ball-strike calls per game, with the ABS system providing instant feedback. The league has experimented with different implementations of the system, including full automation and a challenge-based hybrid model. Cincinnati’s participation in spring training trials aligns with MLB’s ongoing effort to refine the technology and assess its impact on gameplay.
While the Reds’ veteran players may not actively use the ABS challenge system this spring, Francona acknowledged the importance of understanding how it works. He expects players to familiarize themselves with the process, even if they choose not to engage with it during exhibition games.
“You never know when something like this will become permanent,” Francona noted. “If that happens, we’ll all need to be ready.”
As MLB continues exploring automated strike zones, Francona’s decision underscores the balancing act teams face—integrating new technology while maintaining traditional preparation methods. Whether or not ABS becomes a fixture at the major-league level, Cincinnati’s younger players will have a valuable opportunity to fine-tune their approach in anticipation of a potential rule shift in the near future.
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