Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

Effectively Wild Episode 2459: Pump the ABS Brakes

Mar 31, 2026
They banter about Mike Trout’s scorching start and caution against small-sample hype. They unpack the novel automated ball-strike (ABS) challenge system, its accuracy, social reactions, and broadcast strike-zone visuals. They debate timing rules, buffer zones, and late-game fixes. They also note Munetaka Murakami’s early slugging, a Brewers call-up and extension, and NBC’s broadcast choices.
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INSIGHT

ABS Has Roughly Coin Flip Accuracy Now

  • Early ABS overturn rate sits around coin-flip levels: ~54% overall and 42% for batters.
  • Meg and Ben note catcher, pitcher, and batter challenge cohorts differ sharply (catchers ~64% overturns, pitchers ~40%).
ANECDOTE

CB Bucknor's Rough Day Became ABS Theater

  • CB Bucknor's Red Sox game produced six overturned pitches and a wild crowd reaction, spotlighting ABS drama.
  • Ben describes Eugenio Suárez getting rung up twice on back-to pitches and successfully challenging both calls.
INSIGHT

ABS Adds Public Accountability To Umpires

  • ABS publicly exposes umpire errors in real time, creating unprecedented social pressure.
  • Meg notes the spectacle can humiliate umpires and may affect their short-term performance or temperament.
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