Phillies’ J.T. Realmuto urged to make one major catching change originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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With the new ABS challenge system introduced in the Majors in 2026, both hitters and fielders are adjusting to the new process.
Of course, the Philadelphia Phillies are a part of that group.
Some Phillies players are challenging at a much higher rate than others. Philadelphia’s pitching staff signaled for a challenge just seven times as of Thursday.
Phillies catchers have been successful, but their starting backstop, J.T. Realmuto, may not be challenging nearly as often as he should be.
“Phillies catchers have won 25 of their 39 challenges. Realmuto is 14-4 on his challenges. He has one of the best success rates in the sport,” The Athletic’s Matt Gelb wrote.
“But he’s challenging way less than most catchers. Put it this way: Realmuto has caught the ninth-most innings in MLB but had the 47th-most challenges among catchers as of Thursday,” Gelb added. “Even Rafael Marchán, who has caught 166 fewer innings, has challenged more than Realmuto.”
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Perhaps the Phillies coaching staff will urge Realmuto to challenge more pitches. Given his track record thus far, he clearly can be successful in that area.
It appears the veteran, like everyone else, needed time to adjust.
But manager Don Mattingly and Realmuto’s teammates probably believe in his knowledge of the strike zone.
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