Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Things haven’t gone exactly according to plan this spring for the Minnesota Twins. They lost Pablo Lopez for the season before Grapefruit League games even began. Joe Ryan and Royce Lewis have both already underwent MRIs. The result has been a 2-7-1 record that doesn’t count… but the vibes down in Fort Myers aren’t great.
Of course, there are positives to take from the Twins’ disappointing spring so far. Alan Roden has come into camp with guns blazing. Young starter Mick Abel, who Minnesota received in the exchange for Jhoan Duran at last year’s trade deadline, has looked utterly dominant.
Minnesota Twins know the strike zone
Meanwhile, Major League Baseball prepares for the introduction of the “Automatic Balls/Strikes” system, which will be implemented this season for the first time.
With ABS, each team will be allowed two INCORRECT ball/strike challenges per game, meaning teams can challenge calls until they get two wrong.
And so far, while it hasn’t helped them win a lot of games, no team in Major League Baseball has been more successful challenging balls and strikes this spring than the Minnesota Twins.
Your Minnesota Twins lead all teams in challenge accuracy thus far this spring. pic.twitter.com/bCVupaHHkD
— Ted (@tlschwerz) March 2, 2026
While the Minnesota Twins have leaned into more a more free-swinging style, since the Tom Kelly/Ron Gardenhire era ended, there are still plenty of guys in the lineup who control the zone and draw walks at a high level.
Matt Wallner and Ryan Jeffers, for example, both had walk rates north of 10.5% last season, and Josh Bell should add a third. Prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez is among the most patient hitters in the sport, and how that translates to the big leagues will be a key part of his success as well.
Derek Shelton doesn’t want MN Twins pitchers using ABS
Derek Shelton doesn’t want pitchers challenging balls and strikes, and his logic is sound. Not only can pitchers be overly emotional, but their motion and follow-through on the mound does not allow them the best insight into which of their pitches clip the corner and which don’t.
Hitters and catchers have both been the focal point for Statcast tracking. Among teams with more than 10 challenges, the Twins hitters check in 4th at 58% win rate. Minnesota catchers are 7th at at 59%.
This isn’t even a good frame.
I believe Derek Shelton has said pitchers won’t have much say, and that’s for good reason. https://t.co/iJ3UCoQJQZ
— Ted (@tlschwerz) February 27, 2026
How much can ABS save MN Twins in key spots?
The sample size is still undoubtedly small. The Minnesota Twins have played just 10 Grapefruit League games, thus far. Nonetheless, their focus on betting challenges correct could prove crucial.
Those who know the game of baseball know just how different an individual at bat can be, depending on if the pitcher or hitter is working ahead. Hitters’ approaches change significantly, being down 1-2 vs up 2-1
Victor Caratini went 2-for-2 on challenges yesterday for the Twins. pic.twitter.com/r82UooOByb
— Ted (@tlschwerz) March 2, 2026
With the Minnesota Twins’ Opening Day roster looking light in multiple areas, they’ll need every competitive advantage they can get. Maybe the ABS challenge system will be an area where they grab an extra win or two this season. Will that matter in the end? That is probably the bigger debate.
Mentioned in this article: ABS Challenge
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