The new Automated Ball-Strike challenge system has become a standout feature in Major League Baseball’s opening weeks, generating its own drama with clear winners and losers emerging from contested calls.
However, this technological advancement appears to come with a small cost in terms of game duration.
The electronic umpire system may be contributing to slightly extended game times this spring, with nine-inning contests now averaging 2 hours and 42 minutes through Saturday, based on data from baseball-reference.com. This represents an increase from 2:38 during last season and 2:36 in 2024.
The marginal increase in game length is logical. While each ABS challenge typically requires fewer than 15 seconds to resolve, these brief interruptions accumulate when multiple pitches face disputes during a single game.
Baseball achieved a significant victory in recent years with rule modifications introduced in 2023, particularly the pitch clock that cut game times by approximately 25 minutes. Despite some initial criticism, these changes have earned widespread approval.
The ABS technology may be slightly reversing some of that progress, though current game durations remain substantially shorter than before the pitch clock implementation. Nine-inning games averaged a record 3:10 in 2021.
Arizona’s two-time All-Star Corbin Carroll has started strong again this season with a .327 batting average and 1.067 OPS, while showcasing a distinctive skill that’s becoming increasingly uncommon in modern baseball.
The triple.
The 25-year-old speedster tops the majors with three triples across just 14 games. Carroll has dominated triple production league-wide for two consecutive seasons, recording 17 in 2025 and 14 in 2024.
Chase Field, the Diamondbacks’ home venue, suits Carroll perfectly with its expansive right-center field gap that challenges outfielders while he races around the basepaths.
Carroll currently ranks sixth among active MLB players with 46 career triples.
Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson acknowledges his team’s good fortune in having their relief corps performing so effectively this early in April, with strong depth, favorable matchups, and dominant pitching.
This includes dependable closer Jhoan Duran managing ninth-inning responsibilities. He’s already recorded five saves with a 1.35 ERA.
Philadelphia’s relief pitchers allowed just one earned run during the team’s recent six-game road trip, covering 18 innings with a 0.50 ERA and limiting opponents to a .129 batting average (8 for 62).
Rookie prospect Andrew Painter values having such reliable relievers supporting him. When Painter allowed four runs across four innings in a recent matchup against the Giants, the bullpen delivered five shutout innings that enabled the Phillies to mount a comeback for a 6-4 victory.
“They stepped up, to go out there and throw up five more zeros after that,” Painter said. “Offense stepped up, I’m super happy that everyone could pick me up.”
Following a disappointing 2025 campaign, St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker is demonstrating why he’s regarded as one of baseball’s premier young talents. The 23-year-old has already launched seven home runs this season, including six during his past eight contests.
Walker is hitting .327 with a 1.138 OPS through 15 games, leading a Cardinals squad that’s achieved a respectable 8-7 record to start the season.
The top five active MLB players in triples ahead of Carroll are: Mike Trout with 55, Starling Marte with 55, Andrew McCutchen with 50, Trea Turner with 48, and Amed Rosario with 47.
