For tallest hitters, robo-umps should bring consistency to tricky strike zone

PHOENIX (AP) — San Francisco Giants rookie Bryce Eldridge was logged at 6-foot-7 "and some change," he said. That was the measurement for the slugger for the major leagues' Automated Ball-Strike System. That is one expansive strike zone — but a more defined one, at least. "I think they told me I'm the tallest guy they've measured, position player-wise," Eldridge said during spring training. "So I got that going for me, at least. So I've got the biggest zone, the biggest ABS." After years of testing in the minors, the robot-umpire system for reviewing ball/strike calls is going to be used in regular-season games in the majors this year. The abbreviation for the setup is ABS, but the most important letters when it comes to the change just might be S-I-Z-E — relating to the strike zone for some of the game's tallest players. "I got a lot of respect for the umpires and what they do behind the plate," New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge said. "So I can usually pride myself in not showing them up or putting on a show or doing anything like that because they got a tough job back there. So we'll see. I'll find the right time to use it. If they're pretty outrageous calls, I think I'll use it." The 6-foot-7 Judge, who won his third AL MVP award last year, sounded more excited about the possibilities for 6-5 teammate Giancarlo Stanton. "His whole career has been kind of getting screwed over. And also now, this kind of changes everything," Judge said. "He's so routine oriented to where you get a bad call, you get a good call, whatever, it's kind of about flushing to get to the next pitch. Well, now you got 2 seconds to try to make up your mind." Strike zones vary depending on a player's height — starting at 53.5% of a batter's height for the top and 27% of a batter's height for the bottom. The top and the bottom of the zone for baseball's biggest giants — a list that also includes 6-7 center fielder Oneil Cruz of the Pittsburgh Pirates and 6-6 left fielder James Wood of the Washington Nationals — have long been two difficult areas for umpires. But the ABS system provides an opportunity for a closer look. Each team has the ability to challenge two calls per game. A team retains its challenge if successful, similar to the regulations for video reviews. A team out of challenges for a game tied after nine innings would get one additional challenge in each extra inning. Only a batter, pitcher or catcher may challenge a call, signaling with the tap of a helmet or cap, and assistance from the dugout is not allowed. "Specifically with Aaron Judge, I think like his zone I think is higher than most, right? Because he's taller," Chicago Cubs catcher Carson Kelly said. "So you might catch one at the knees that feels like a normal strike, but it's low on him. So I think it's another aspect of catchers is we're going to have to understand who's at the plate, what the zone is like. I mean, if it's a smaller zone, that ball that might feel like it's a strike at the top, it's probably a ball." The 21-year-old Eldridge, who got to use ABS in the minors, said he thinks it's great for the game. "I had a situation last year where we were in the ninth and we were down by two, I want to say, and I struck out looking," Eldridge said. "I challenged it. It was a ball, and I hit a home run like the next pitch or something to tie it. The game can change just like that with this, so it's pretty cool."