Rob Manfred Reveals When Robo Umps Will Reach MLB

Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred recently gave a significant update on when he believes the automated ball and strike system (ABS) will reach the big leagues. Speaking to the media before the All-Star Game on Tuesday, Manfred explained his thinking, and the league's thinking, on the timing and implementation of the "robo ump" transition.

Manfred believes that there will likely be a "test" of the ABS system in Major League Baseball games for spring training in 2025. That would then line the system up for its official debut in the 2026 regular season. 

"We need '25 to do the spring training test if we can get these issues resolved, which will make ‘26 a viable possibility," Manfred said to the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. "Is that going to be the year? I'm not going to be flat-footed on that issue."

With spring training somehow just seven months away, we're not that far away from seeing major league players being able to challenge balls and strikes on the fly. And based on player feedback, it's a near certainty that the ABS sytem will be challenge-based, not a full takeover of the human element. Manfred said feedback was "almost 100%" universal that players preferred being able to challenge calls instead of removing umpires entirely.

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 27:  Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred speaks to the media during an announcement between MLB and MGM Resorts International at the Office of the Commissioner on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB via Getty Images)

Several Challenges Remain For MLB To Bring ABS Challenges To The Big Leagues

According to Manfred, the system is not fully ready for its big-league debut. Current technology does a "perfect" job of tracking the ball to a "hundreth of an inch," but there are still some technical issues to be ironed out. 

One is the "definition of the strike zone," according to Manfred. Seems like a pretty big one to get right before changing the way the game is played, doesn't it? While there's clearly momentum toward bringing the ABS sytem to the big leagues, Manfred doesn't want to rush it.

"One thing we learned with the changes last year is -- a little more time is better than not enough time," Manfred said. "And I mean that just in terms of making sure -- when you bring something to the big leagues, you got to make sure you've got it right."

Human umpires generally do a very good job calling balls and strikes, Angel Hernandez aside, but the challenge system could allow for egregiously missed calls to be corrected instantly. Hitters might also be surprised if calls that seem like balls or strikes are upheld on review, because of the way the ball is caught. But defining the strike zone is key; every umpire has their own interpretation and tendencies. Having a set format, that can be tracked by computer, would fundamentally change how the game is played and watched.

It may even alter the outcome of games or series, if an important at bat changes on a challenge. Sounds like we'll start to find out by next spring.