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Smoltz: ABS system is a success, but keep it limited
7 Jun
Summary
- Hall of Famer Smoltz endorses ABS challenge system for MLB.
- He warns against full automation, fearing impact on hitting.
- Smoltz notes decreased swing rates and increased walks.
Baseball Hall of Famer John Smoltz has praised the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) challenge system as a "big success" for Major League Baseball, but strongly advocates for its continued use as a limited challenge system.
Smoltz, a 59-year-old World Series champion, expressed his hope that the system will never transition to full-time automation. He believes such a move would fundamentally alter baseball for the worse, making it significantly harder for hitters to succeed.
While acknowledging the system's positive impact, Smoltz noted concerning trends, including a decrease in overall swing rates and a substantial increase in walk rates. He attributed this partly to pitchers' reduced ability to command the strike zone precisely under the new system.
Smoltz, who spent 21 seasons in MLB primarily with the Atlanta Braves, is set to compete in the American Century Championship from July 10-12 at Edgewood Golf Course in Lake Tahoe.
