MLB rule change could quietly boost Tyler Stephenson's value to the Reds in 2026

Baseball continues to modernize the game, and like it or not, the automatic ball-strike (ABS) challenge system is coming to the majors next season. The traditionalists are already busy with handwringing, but Cincinnati Reds fans may have reason to hope. ABS could actually make catcher Tyler Stephenson even more valuable to the team.

Stephenson is one of the worst pitch framers in the league. He hasn’t yet developed the skill of shifting a borderline pitch into the zone in order to draw a strike call, and his lack of ability in that area has cost the Reds eight defensive runs so far this season.

Stephenson is particularly bad on low balls, meaning pitches with downward movement like Brady Singer’s slider and Hunter Greene’s four-seamer could be losing value with him behind the plate. ABS could change that.

ABS may address Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson’s biggest weakness

The ABS system will give each team two challenges per game. A pitcher, batter, or catcher can call for a challenge, and an umpire will review the pitch, which is captured via a high-speed camera. Catcher framing certainly won’t become a thing of the past; once the opposing team has issued their two challenges, San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey will still be able to nudge calls in his team’s favor. But ABS could enable Stephenson (or his batterymate) to make up for his weak frame in high-leverage situations.

At the end of the day, it is the pitchers, not the catchers, that will be most impacted by ABS. Chase Burns, whose primary catcher is Stephenson, has gotten the “shadow zone” call at the bottom of the zone just 36% of the time. Emilio Pagán and Luis Mey have similarly low rates. These are the relievers stepping into high-pressure situations and bringing high-velocity, high-strikeout stuff. If Stephenson can get that call, even with the help of ABS, slightly more often, the Reds could see a shift in their fortunes.

Stephenson’s future with the club is in flux as he enters the final year of his contract. He undoubtedly improves the Reds on offense. If ABS improves his fielding performance just a bit, the extension talks could take on a whole new urgency.

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