Whether you like it or hate it (Paul Skens is leaning towards the latter), an automated strike zone is coming to major league baseball.
This year is the first time players have been able to challenge the ball and strike during spring training after years of experiments in the minor leagues.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said he hopes to be in the regular season by 2026, but Skenes recently said he is “happy” not being there this year.
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The Pittsburgh Pirates pitched pitcher Paul Skenneth (30) in their first innings against the Milwaukee Brewers of American Family Field. (Benny Sieu-Usa Today Sports)
“I like the human side of the game because I think there are games with a larger umpire zone and games with a smaller umpire zone,” Pittsburgh's Pirates Ace said. “You bring in an automatic strike zone, which completely cuts down framing. This effectively eliminates the catching position. I have mixed feelings about it. I like the human side of the game, but there are definitely things I have to say about being objective with the strike zone.”
This spring, teams will acquire two challenges per game, but each challenge can be maintained for each WON. Only the batter, pitcher or catcher can challenge the phone, which is immediately after the call and should not be accompanied by the help of the bench or other players.

Paul Skens, 30th in the Pittsburgh Pirates, will provide the pitch in his first innings during his match against the New York Mets at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on July 5, 2024. (Justin Bell/Getty Images)
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Skenes' comments reflect the comments of future Hall of Fame Max Scherzer.
“I'm a bit skeptical of this. I'm getting what I'm trying to do here, but I think the major league referees are really good,” Shelzer said last month. “They're really good, so are we actually changing here? We know there's a strike that's changed to the ball or a ball that's changed to the strike.
“Can I play baseball?” he added. “We are humans. Can we be judged by humans? Do we really need to confuse the game? I think humans are defined by humans.”
It's an even bigger change in the sport commissioned by Manfred in 2023, which implemented pitch timers, larger bases and shift restrictions. However, with attendance increased over the past two years, fans seem to like change.

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skens (30) will provide the pitch in his major league debut with the Chicago Cubs in his first inning at PNC Park. (Charles Leclair Usa is sports today)
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Skenes was named NL Rookie of the Year in 2024 and came third in the NL Cy Young Award poll with a 1.96 ERA 11.5 K/9. The signed rookie card, including the patch worn for her MLB debut, sold for $1.1 million.
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