WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — As Major League Baseball introduces its automated ball-strike challenge system for the 2026 season, Astros manager Joe Espada is already setting the tone for how Houston plans to use it: let the catchers make the call.
After years of testing in the minor leagues and select spring games, the new system allows players to challenge an umpire’s ball or strike ruling, with technology making the final decision. The change represents one of the most significant in-game adjustments in years, and the Astros are using spring training to get comfortable with it.
How the System Works
The process is similar to tennis’s Hawk-Eye review. When an umpire calls a pitch a ball or strike, the batter, catcher, or pitcher has only a couple of seconds to signal for a challenge, typically by tapping the top of a helmet or mask.
If a challenge is issued, tracking technology determines whether the pitch passed through the strike zone. A successful challenge overturns the call and allows the team to keep its challenge. If unsuccessful, the team loses one.
Each team receives two unsuccessful challenges per game, with one additional challenge awarded in extra innings.
The strike zone itself is personalized for each batter based on measurements taken during spring training. The top of the zone is set at 53.5% of the player’s height, while the bottom is 27%, creating a customized box that removes much of the guesswork once the system renders a verdict.
Catchers Over Pitchers
Espada has made it clear he wants catchers to take the lead.
“Just the distance they are from the plate, we feel like the catcher has a better view,” Espada said, pointing to their perspective on pitch height and location.
Early numbers support that thinking. During previous spring testing, catchers successfully overturned incorrect calls about 56% of the time, compared to 41% for pitchers.
New addition Mike Burrows, who experienced the system in Pittsburgh’s organization, is happy to defer.
“He’s got less emotions tied into it, for sure,” Burrows said. “I’m flying all around on the mound so I wouldn’t want to lose a challenge because my ego got in the way.”
Espada’s biggest concern is emotional decision-making. With only two missed challenges allowed before the team loses the ability to dispute calls, impulse reactions could quickly backfire.
“There’s a lot of emotion that’s going to come into it,” Espada said. “We need to do our best just to kind of remove emotion and challenge pitches when they really mean something.”
First baseman Christian Walker sees the balancing act.
“I think emotional challenges are going to be a thing—big moments but also trying to protect yourself,” Walker said. “So there’s a team lens of how are we going to use these and then there’s a personal lens.”
Walker plans to take a conservative approach early, only challenging when he’s confident a call is wrong.
Building Challenge Instincts
The Astros are treating spring training as a testing ground, installing television screens near home plate on practice fields so players can immediately review pitch locations and refine their instincts.
Catchers can still influence the initial call through framing, which may force hitters to use challenges on borderline pitches. That means the human element isn’t disappearing — it’s just evolving.
During Tuesday’s live batting practice, catcher César Salazar tapped his mask to challenge a borderline pitch from Spencer Arrighetti, glanced at the screen, and celebrated when the system confirmed strike three. Bench coach Omar López gave the final confirmation.
Moments like that are helping players develop a feel for when a challenge is truly worth it.
Asked about the adjustment ahead, Espada remained focused on the goal.
“I am looking forward to doing the best we can to get balls and strikes right,” he said.
Houston will continue refining its approach as the system becomes part of everyday game strategy.
The Astros open Grapefruit League play Saturday at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 p.m. CT. Broadcast details and game times are available on our Houston Astros 2026 Spring Training Schedule page.