Giants put MLB’s robo-ump to the test early: ‘I really want to challenge that right now’

SURPRISE, Ariz. — Landen Roupp forgot all about the ABS challenge system, which was in effect for the San Francisco Giants’ Cactus League-opening 6-1 win over the Rangers on Saturday. But when he felt he’d thrown a first-pitch strike to Texas’ third hitter, Jake Burger, he cocked his head slightly in disbelief. Sam Huff received the pitch, also thought it was a strike and saw Roupp’s head tilt, so the Giants’ catcher signed for a challenge — and got the call, as the entire stadium saw on the scoreboard, the sinker clipping the bottom of the zone. Burger wound up grounding out to end a 1-2-3 inning. Whenever MLB implements the ABS challenge system during the regular season — probably next year — it’s likely to be used primarily later in games in big situations and mostly with two strikes. Huff was unafraid to use it early and on the first pitch, which Roupp loved. “If he’s got confidence in knowing this is a strike — I thought it was a strike the whole way, so I do like that,” he said. “I’m glad he did that.” “I’m just trying to keep him in there, trying to get him in a kind of a groove,” Huff said. “Those are the bridge counts or the bridge at-bats that could shape what inning he’s going to have or what he’s going to do.” Turnabout came quickly. While Huff was at the plate in the fourth, the Rangers challenged the first-pitch ball from Jack Leiter and it was reversed, Huff about it from his former teammates, especially after his earlier successful challenge. “I was looking at the whole dugout, they were laughing,” Huff said. “I knew it clipped (the zone) and I knew they were going to say something.” Manager Bob Melvin hasn’t placed any restrictions on challenges this spring, he just wants players to get familiar with it. The smart money for the Giants’ first challenge might have been on leadoff man LaMonte Wade Jr., who has the best strike-zone judgement on the team, but Wade opted not to. “I thought about it but I didn’t want to be the first person. Maybe next time,” Wade said. “But it’s interesting to see that if it clips, they’re called strikes, so I wonder if the umpires will start expanding their zones.” On Monday, Justin Verlander will make his Giants debut at the home portion of a split squad with Mason Black starting the road game. Then Robbie Ray starts Tuesday and Jordan Hicks, the fourth starter, goes on Wednesday versus the A’s. Kyle Harrison, also vying for a rotation spot, is a week behind other starters. The 23-year-old went through an illness late in the offseason and is taking spring slow after a tumultuous 2024 in which he sprained his ankle, rushed back into action, and injured his throwing shoulder. Harrison said his fastball has gotten up to 91-92 mph in his bullpen sessions and his body feels good.