SAN FRANCISCO - Aaron Judge, the New York Yankees’ powerhouse, has long been a dominant force at the plate. His size and strength give him an edge, but his towering 6-foot-7 frame has also led to its fair share of challenges. Umpires have often misjudged his strike zone, especially on those pesky low pitches that seem to defy logic.
Friday night, Judge seemed ready to turn the tables. In a game against the San Francisco Giants, he leveraged the new Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system, flipping a low strike call into a ball and then smashing a two-run homer in the Yankees’ 3-0 victory at Oracle Park.
Trying out the ABS Challenge for the first time, Judge admitted it felt “weird.” But he’s adapting, saying, “It’s a new part of the game, but you’ve got to get used to it.”
In the sixth inning, with no outs and Paul Goldschmidt on second after a double, Judge faced Giants pitcher Robbie Ray. A 1-0 slider dipped just below the zone, but was called a strike.
Judge, trusting his instincts, challenged the call. The ABS confirmed his suspicion, and the count shifted to 2-0.
A few pitches later, Judge capitalized, launching a 93 mph fastball out of the park.
This was Judge’s first hit of the season after a tough start, but he wasn’t sure if the ABS would side with him. Yankees manager Aaron Boone described it as a “borderline” call, yet Judge’s decision proved pivotal.
The stats back Judge’s strategy. Last season, the MLB average OPS in a 1-1 count was .669, jumping to .974 in a 2-0 count. For Judge, the difference is even more pronounced, with a career OPS of 1.373 after a 2-0 count compared to .945 after 1-1.
Boone noted how the challenge turned the at-bat into a high-leverage situation, resulting in a moonshot from Judge.
Judge has faced more than his share of incorrect strike calls. From 2017 to 2025, he had 638 out-of-zone strikes called against him, tied with Mookie Betts. Low strikes were particularly problematic, with 368 called against him, far more than any other player.
Despite this, Judge has kept his cool, with only one career ejection in 2024. Cody Bellinger, who hit behind Judge last season, witnessed his frustrations and believes the ABS will benefit him. Boone agrees, predicting Judge will be assertive in challenging low calls.
The Yankees have embraced the challenge system, tying with the Cleveland Guardians for the most challenges in spring training and leading in successful ones. On Friday, catcher Austin Wells successfully challenged a call against Rafael Devers, and José Caballero made history with the first challenge in a major-league game, though his call was upheld.
Bellinger highlighted the difficulty of deciding on a challenge within MLB’s two-second limit, emphasizing the importance of context and timing.
Judge’s challenges could be game-changers. With three of the last four AL MVP awards and a stellar season last year, hitting 53 homers and leading in key batting metrics, having the challenge option is a strategic asset for him.
As Judge puts it, having the challenge is a “give and take,” but it looks like he’s ready to take control and ensure umpires can’t easily cheat him with bad calls.