DUNEDIN, Fla. -- The Yankees got a potential view of the future Saturday afternoon when an overturned call from the experimental Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) challenge system sparked a big inning against the Blue Jays at TD Ballpark.
Initially, it appeared designated hitter Everson Pereira had taken an inning-ending strikeout in the sixth, leaving the Yankees with a four-run deficit. But Pereira tapped his helmet to request a challenge and, after the replay showed the pitch was just out of the strike zone, it went from a full-count strikeout to a walk.
Center fielder Spencer Jones followed with a two-run homer and Ismael Munguia added an RBI triple as New York went from nothing to a three-run inning. The Blue Jays ultimately prevailed, 6-4, but the sequence showed how the ABS challenge system, which has been used in the Minor Leagues, can affect a game.
“That was pretty sweet,’’ Jones said. “We were all telling [Pereira] he had a good eye up there.’’
“That’s a perfect situation [to challenge] -- a 3-2 break-even pitch,’’ Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “The difference between a strikeout and getting on base [to] set up a good inning for us. The timing to challenge a close pitch was there, and obviously, he was right and convicted on it. We’ll continue to gain as much experience with it as we can.’’
The ABS challenge system will be used in 60% of Spring Training games as MLB mulls the potential of using it in the future. It uses a set of cameras around the field to track the pitch location. Each team has two challenges and a call can be disputed by the batter, pitcher or catcher.
“I just felt the pitch was away from my strike zone, so I felt it was a good moment to take a chance on it,’’ Pereira said through a team interpreter. “It’s close to reality. I think it’s good to use.’’
Jones, the Yankees' No. 2 prospect last season, took advantage of the reversal by picking on a 1-2 curveball from Blue Jays reliever Eric Pardinho, depositing it high over the left-field fence for an opposite-field two-run homer.
“There aren’t a lot of guys who can hit a ball like that -- that high of a ball off the hands,’’ Boone said. “Not a lot of people can do that.’’
Jones, a 2022 first-round Draft choice out of Vanderbilt University, gets everyone’s attention with his 6-foot-6, 235-pound stature (and the inevitable comparisons to Aaron Judge). Competing in his second big league camp, Jones had 17 homers, 78 RBIs and 25 stolen bases last season with Double-A Somerset. He also struck out 200 times in 122 games.
“I’m working on closer communication with the hitting coaches between each at-bat," Jones said. "Talking about what I’m looking for, what pitches I’m hunting, getting me in that right head space and mentality to attack the pitches."
Boone said he’s excited by the potential of Jones, while saying the 23-year-old must continue to develop.
“If you can get to that level [of consistency], it’s a great advantage to have that size and that leverage and those levers,’’ Boone said. “With Spencer, the ceiling is enormous. It’s real defense. It’s real power. It’s real speed. It looks like he has the ability to control the strike zone, but it’s just going to be harnessing that size and that swing.’’
Rodón’s spring debut
Left-hander Carlos Rodón (16-9, 3.96 ERA last season) allowed three runs and five hits in 2 2/3 innings. His afternoon ended after his 47th pitch, which resulted in an RBI single by Alejandro Kirk on a 3-0 offering.
“He got his work in -- wasn’t real sharp with his command, but I thought he executed some pitches, too, along the way,’’ Boone said of Rodón. “He’s in a good spot physically, a good routine backed by a really good work ethic. The biggest thing I want him to focus on is the work in the five or six days between [starts], putting himself in a position to go to the [mound] 30 times or 30-plus times.’’
Rodón said the Yankees haven’t seen the best of him yet.
“The biggest thing is just to go out there and make every start,’’ Rodón said. “When my name is called, go out there and pitch. We get wrapped up in making the All-Star team, striking out 200 guys, getting 20 wins -- I think if you just show up, make every start and stay on that durability path, everything else tends to work itself out.’’
Hairy situation
There were still reverberations from Friday’s news that the Yankees have amended the organization’s long-time facial hair policy to allow for “well-groomed’’ beards.
Closer Devin Williams, acquired in an offseason trade with the Brewers, said it could favorably influence his options to remain after the 2025 season, when he becomes a free agent. Williams said he recently spoke to managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner and general manager Brian Cashman, but added he was “surprised’’ and “excited’’ when he learned of the policy change.
Judge also said he was pleased because the relaxed policy could help the Yankees attract -- or retain -- top players. When asked if he planned to grow a beard, Judge offered an emphatic, “No.’’
When Boone arrived at Dunedin for Saturday’s game against the Blue Jays, he had a couple days of facial stubble.
“Today would have been a shave day, for sure,’’ Boone said with a smile.