ABS All-Stars: MLB's Best Challengers at Each Position
ABS All-Stars: MLB's Best Challengers at Each Position
With the All-Star Game fast approaching, we’re highlighting the best players at challenging balls and strikes with baseball’s new system. Tim Capurso|
It's All-Star season in baseball, as the fan vote for the American and National League All-Star teams is underway. And given that the 2026 MLB season is the first year the ABS challenge system is being utilized at the big-league level, we thought it was only fitting that the best of the best at challenging balls and strikes got some recognition.
Note: Minimum five challenges for hitters, minimum 10 challenges for catchers, no minimum for pitchers
C: Carson Kelly, Cubs
Few catchers have been as impactful as Kelly with the ABS challenge system. Kelly’s 78% success rate (on 37 challenges) ranks fourth among catchers who have made at least 10 challenges, and he has gained the third-most strikeouts and eliminated the fourth-most walks for the Cubs pitching staff. Most impressive of all? The majority of Kelly’s challenges have come in the later innings of games, and he has created 1.5 net runs as a result of his challenges, the best mark in baseball.
1B: Sal Stewart, Reds
Not only is Stewart in the running for the National League Rookie of the Year award thanks to his stellar production at the dish, but he’s also been baseball’s best hitter at utilizing the ABS challenge system. No hitter has been more aggressive with the new implementation than Stewart, who has challenged more pitches (30)—and had more successful challenges (20)—than any hitter in the game. Stewart’s excellent eye for the strike zone and experience with the ABS system in the minor leagues has served him well on many challenges, like this one to flip a strikeout.
2B: Jose Altuve, Astros
Altuve, possessing one of MLB’s most compact strike zones, was expected to benefit from baseball’s new ball-and-strike arbiter. And he has, as the Astros second baseman has won the second-most challenges (12) of any hitter while flipping four strikeouts. Altuve is a big reason why Houston has been one of the best clubs in the business at utilizing the ABS challenge system.
3B: Isaac Paredes, Astros
Paredes, along with another ABS All-Star, is one of just three players who has challenged a minimum of five pitches to boast a perfect success rate. The Astros third baseman has flipped two strikeouts and a walk, leads hitters in net runs created off challenges and may boast the most impressive challenge of any player this season.
SS: CJ Abrams, Nationals
Boasting a perfect 8-for-8 challenge record, Abrams is both an ABS All-Star and a likely National League All-Star. The Nationals shortstop leads hitters in ABS overturns more than expected and ranks second in net runs created, meaning he doesn’t just boast a perfect challenge record—Abrams’s challenges have been incredibly impactful to Washington’s success.
OF: Davis Schneider, Blue Jays
If there was an ABS All-Star team in the minors, Schneider would have been on it last year. Before getting the call up to Toronto, Schneider led all Triple A batters who had challenged at least 10 pitches with an 83% success rate. And the ABS wizard has continued to show his wisdom for the Blue Jays in 2026, as Schneider has won 77% of his 13 challenges, the best mark among outfielders.
OF: Bryan Reynolds, Pirates
Reynolds leads all hitters in ABS challenges that have eliminated strikeouts and gained walks while winning the sixth-most challenges among position players. Not only has Reynolds been aggressive with the new system, he’s been impactful.
OF: Teoscar Hernández, Dodgers
Along with Mookie Betts, Hernández is among the Dodgers’ better hitters at utilizing the ABS challenge system. The veteran slugger has tapped his helmet 10 times and has been correct on seven of those challenges, including one flipped strikeout.
DH: Kyle Schwarber, Phillies
Schwarber doesn’t just lead MLB in home runs—he’s also adept at challenging balls and strikes, as the Phillies slugger has won the fifth-most challenges at a strong 64% clip. So confident is Schwarber in his knowledge of the strike zone that in one instance he began walking up the first-base line after challenging a 3–0 pitch before the results of the challenge were even shown.
SP: Freddy Peralta, Mets
While this season hasn’t quite gone the way Peralta or the Mets envisioned when they dealt for him this winter, the veteran righthander can say that he’s been the best starting pitcher at utilizing the ABS challenge system. And while that’s unfortunately not saying much—the pitcher success rate on challenges this season is 35%—Peralta is still the only pitcher to make three successful challenges thus far.
RP: Ryan Helsley, Orioles
Helsley has only challenged one pitch so far this season, but it was quite a consequential one. Clinging to a two-run lead in the top of the ninth vs. the Twins on March 29, Helsley challenged a 3–2 pitch to Josh Bell and successfully flipped a walk to a strikeout for the second out of the inning. Oh, and Helsley’s hat tap also resulted in the first ABS-induced ejection, as Twins manager Derek Shelton argued that the Orioles closer hadn’t challenged quickly enough to no avail.
Honorable mentions
C: J.T. Realmuto, Phillies
1B: Nick Kurtz, Athletics
2B: JJ Wetherholt, Cardinals
3B: Kevin McGonigle, Tigers
SS: Xander Bogaerts, Padres
OF: Corbin Carroll, Diamondbacks
OF: Taylor Ward, Orioles
OF: Aaron Judge, Yankees
DH: Bryce Eldridge, Giants
SP: Chris Bassitt, Orioles
RP: Blas Castaño, Rockies
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TIM CAPURSOTim Capurso is a staff writer for Sports Illustrated, primarily covering MLB, college football and college basketball. Before joining SI in November 2023, Capurso worked at RotoBaller and ClutchPoints and is a graduate of Assumption University. When he's not working, he can be found at the gym, reading a book or enjoying a good hike. A resident of New York, Capurso openly wonders if the Giants will ever be a winning football team again.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
