Story perspectives

MLB Challenges Fail, Cost Hitters and Catchers' Budgets

5/13/2026

Summary

Story summary

MLB data shows hitters and catchers are losing budget because ABS challenges are ineffective.
Gary Sanchez had 16 challenges, 56 % success, –7.1, and flipped a strikeout.
Edgar Quero made 42 challenges, 42.9 % success, –12.0, and flipped a strikeout.
James Wood challenged nine times, won one, posting overturn rate.
Nolan Schanuel (12 challenges, 33.3 % success), Ronald Acuña Jr. (36.4 % success, –5.2 net), Josh Naylor (10 challenges, three wins) posted results.

History

Historical Context

MLB expanded instant-replay in 2014, promoting seven umpires on Jan 14 and giving managers one challenge per game (a second after a successful overturn). The pilot recorded 606 challenges with 52 % reversed, prompting league-wide adoption and a 2015 rule allowing dugout signals. Today, Gary Sanchez’s 56 % success on 16 challenges and Edgar Quero’s 42.9 % on 42 show the uneven efficacy that began then.

1 of 2

Story summary

MLB data shows hitters and catchers are losing budget because ABS challenges are ineffective.
Gary Sanchez had 16 challenges, 56 % success, –7.1, and flipped a strikeout.
Edgar Quero made 42 challenges, 42.9 % success, –12.0, and flipped a strikeout.
James Wood challenged nine times, won one, posting overturn rate.
Nolan Schanuel (12 challenges, 33.3 % success), Ronald Acuña Jr. (36.4 % success, –5.2 net), Josh Naylor (10 challenges, three wins) posted results.

1 / 2