Cubs RHP Poteet Triumphs in First ABS Test Challenge: What It Means for His Career

In Glendale, Arizona, something exciting happened on the baseball field. Chicago Cubs pitcher Cody Poteet made history by becoming the first player to challenge a ball or strike call during a major league game. This took place during the Cubs’ opening spring game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Poteet, who joined the Cubs after a trade with the New York Yankees for Cody Bellinger, thought he threw a fastball that just brushed the edge of the strike zone. However, plate umpire Tony Randazzo called it a ball. Following new MLB rules for spring training, Poteet signaled for a review by tapping his head. The pitch was quickly displayed on the scoreboard, and to everyone’s surprise, the call was overturned. Max Muncy, the batter, went from a 1-1 count to 0-2 before ultimately striking out.

Muncy had a light-hearted response, expressing his belief that the call would be overturned. “I knew it was going to get overturned, and I went, ‘Oh, man, I’m going to be the first one,'” he said.

This challenge system is being tested in spring training this year, a first for major league teams. Instead of having automated systems call every pitch, teams can challenge two calls per game. The pitcher, catcher, or hitter can initiate a challenge without any support from the dugout. They signal for a review by tapping their head.

Poteet, who spent time in the minors and is familiar with the system, felt confident enough to challenge the call. “I thought it caught a good part of the plate,” he mentioned. “So I thought it was worth using one of them.” He was relieved that the call was reversed.

Later in the game, Dodgers player Sean McLain also challenged a call, but that one was upheld. This mirrors what has been seen in minor league games, where about 50% of calls were overturned. Minor league games averaged four challenges, while Thursday’s game had only two.

Muncy commented on the potential for this system in major league play during regular and postseason games. Although MLB has stated the system will not be used beyond spring training this year, it could appear as early as 2026. “I think the idea is very interesting to me,” Muncy said. “I feel like you have to be a hundred percent certain to challenge.”

This challenge technology is being implemented in five stadiums in Arizona and eight in Florida, with about 60% of spring training games featuring it. After the spring season, MLB plans to survey players and coaches to gather feedback on the system.

Poteet highlighted the importance of every pitch, saying, “I feel like every strike matters … so I thought it was a good time to use it today.” In the end, the Cubs won the game against the Dodgers, 12-4, and they have a rematch scheduled for Friday before playing each other again to kick off the season in Japan in March.

Source link