Red Sox infielder Andruw Monasterio may be the leader in the clubhouse for worst ABS challenge of the young MLB season.
During the sixth inning Tuesday of Boston’s 6-0 road loss to the Twins, Monasterio challenged an 88 mph slider right down the middle from Mick Abel for a strikeout.
The commentary team was not happy that Monasterio came up to bat as a pinch hitter and used one of the team’s two challenges.
“Very much a strike,” Twins color commentator Justin Morneau said on the telecast after Monasterio challenged a clear strike.
“Yeah, big time,” play-by-play man Cory Provus responded.
The opportunity to challenge the strike zone twice per game using the Automated Ball-Strike System has largely changed the game, but many teams are seeing mixed results with the new rules.
The Red Sox (6-11) are among the worst teams in baseball at using the ABS system, as they’re only right 45 percent of the time between hitters and catchers challenging calls, which ranks them 24th in MLB.
Manager Alex Cora admitted that the Red Sox are not doing a good job when it comes to the ABS system.
“We have our system… but… sometimes emotions take over,” Cora said earlier this month.
Surely that Monasterio challenge is one that he would pin down as emotional, and he would surely take back.
The Yankees (9-8), who started the season white hot as one of the best teams at challenging calls, have cooled off a bit, but still stand at at 57.1 percent, the 12th-best mark in baseball.
Aaron Boone called the recent struggles more about “ebbs and flows” than anything else.
Boston sits in last place in the AL East while the Rays (9-7) are in first.
