Chris Sale isn’t mincing words when it comes to MLB’s new ABS (Automated Ball-Strike) challenge system - he’s not a fan. In fact, the Atlanta Braves left-hander made it crystal clear: don’t expect him to challenge a single call this season. Not one.
“I will never challenge a pitch. I will never do it,” Sale said bluntly to reporters at Braves camp.
When pressed on the why, his answer was as direct as his slider: “Because I’m not an umpire. That’s their job.
I’m a starting pitcher. I’ve never called balls and strikes in my life.”
For a guy known for his intensity on the mound and his no-nonsense approach to the game, this stance tracks. Sale’s not interested in playing part-time umpire. He’s here to pitch, not to second-guess the strike zone.
It’s a strong take in a league that’s inching closer to full automation behind the plate. The ABS challenge system - which allows players to contest ball-strike calls a limited number of times per game - is a major step in that direction. But Sale clearly wants no part of it.
Trusting the Catcher’s Craft
Sale’s confidence in the human element doesn’t stop with the umpires. He also gave a nod to the unsung heroes behind the plate: the catchers who make borderline pitches look like strikes.
“Catchers nowadays, the way they catch the ball and the way they receive, they make them all look like strikes,” he said.
That’s not just lip service. Sale’s been around long enough to know how much a good framer can impact a game. And in Atlanta, he’s got a couple of solid options behind the dish.
Drake Baldwin, fresh off a 2025 NL Rookie of the Year campaign, will likely be Sale’s primary battery mate. Baldwin finished in the 45th percentile in pitch framing last season - not elite, but serviceable for a young backstop still developing his defensive game. Then there’s veteran Sean Murphy, who brings more polish to the position and ranked in the 71st percentile in framing.
It’s clear Sale values that skill - and it may be part of why he’s so comfortable leaving the calls to the men in blue and the framing to his catchers.
Where Does That Leave the Challenge System?
One lingering question is whether Sale’s hardline stance applies only to himself, or if he’d prefer his catchers avoid challenges altogether when he’s on the mound. That part’s still a bit murky.
What we do know is this: Sale’s not going to be the guy tapping his cap or looking toward the dugout to challenge a borderline strike. He’s old-school in that way - trust the catcher, trust the umpire, and pitch through it.
In an era where more players are embracing technology and data to gain an edge, Sale’s approach is a reminder that there’s still a place in the game for gut feel and tradition. Whether or not that mindset holds up over the course of a full season with the ABS system in play remains to be seen.
But one thing’s for sure: if you’re looking for a pitcher to test the limits of the new challenge system, Chris Sale isn’t your guy. He’s sticking to the basics - and he’s trusting the people around him to do their jobs, just like he plans to do his.