Manfred: MLB to propose automated ball-strike system for 2026

The automated ball-strike system (ABS) could arrive as soon as next season.

Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said Wednesday that he will submit a proposal to the league's competition committee that would see ABS implemented in 2026, according to Evan Drellich of The Athletic.

The league office has enough votes on the 11-person committee to make the proposal a reality, Drellich reported.

"I do think that we're going to pursue the possibility of changing that process, and we'll see what comes out at the end of that," Manfred said, according to Drellich. "I think that teams are really positive about ABS."

ABS still involves human umpires calling balls and strikes. Each team is given two challenges through which they can have a call confirmed by technology. Successful challenges are retained.

The system was used in major-league spring training this year after several years of testing in the minor leagues.

MLB has the power to implement rule changes within 45 days of a proposal under the collective bargaining agreement, which expires after the 2026 season, with the players' association.

"We bargained for the right to make these kind of rule changes," Manfred said. "It was a really important part of the deal from our perspective. Everybody understood what the rules of the road are. … Unlike the prior provision, there's actually a process that is involved, that you go through, that you kind of have a chance to vet and talk about what should happen with the players. So I’m less reticent about that."

A check-swing review system is also being tested in the minor leagues.