New MLB rule is set to cause some serious issues for Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk
The MLB will be testing out the automated ball-strike system at Spring Training this year which might end up being an issue for Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk.
Kirk is set to have a big season in 2025 as the Blue Jays have stated they will be sticking to their current duo of him and Tyler Heineman which means Kirk will be seeing the majority of the starts.
New MLB rule to be introduced at Spring Training might cause some issues for Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred announced a few months ago that the MLB will be testing out the automated ball-strike system at this year's Spring Training.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, who has been responsible for shepherding many of the changes through his sport, let it be known during a recent media appearance that an automated ball-strike (ABS) challenge system will be introduced during spring training in a few months. -Gueren
This new system will basically have a system in place to call if each pitch was a ball or a strike and the umpire will be there to deliver the call.
This might affect Kirk is known around the league for being one of the best catchers to frame pitches as he converted 49.8% of non-swing pitches into strikes last season.
Per Baseball Savant, Kirk converted 49.8% of non-swing pitches into called strikes this season. Kirk's framing also received high praise through Baseball Savant's measure of runs saved (Catcher Framing Runs). -Gueren
This should be an interesting test as the league has been talking of different ways to turn towards a more accurate strike zone over the last few years due to poor calls being blasted online.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out at Spring Training and if the MLB will incorporate this system into the regular season moving forward.
Source: Jays Journal
Alejandro Kirk won't be a fan of the latest news on automatic strike zone tests
Alejandro Kirk won't be a fan of the latest news on automatic strike zone tests
Previously on Toronto Baseball Insider
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 18|2169 ANSWERS New MLB rule is set to cause some serious issues for Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk Will the MLB incorporate the automated ball-strike system soon? | ||
| Yes | 1426 | 65.7 % |
| No | 743 | 34.3 % |
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