Jazz Chisholm Jr. Took Off His Gear for a Walk to First — Then ABS Overruled Him

New York Yankees outfielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. has been one of the team’s most electric players this season, but his confidence with the Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS) is proving to be a gamble that keeps backfiring.

During Wednesday’s 3-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays, Chisholm stepped into the box and watched a pitch he believed was clearly outside. The 28-year-old was so certain he had drawn a walk that he began removing his protective gear and started trotting toward first base. But his challenge under MLB’s new ABS replay system revealed the pitch had actually caught the edge of the strike zone. The call stood — and Chisholm was forced to return to the plate with a strike added to his count.

The moment quickly went viral. Underdog MLB posted a clip on social media showing Chisholm halfway to first before the review humbled him, with the caption: “Jazz Chisholm Jr. was ready to walk to first on this challenge. He’s now 4/15 on ABS challenges this season.”

Chisholm’s eagerness to challenge borderline pitches has become something of a running joke among Yankees fans and league observers. While his athleticism and energy have helped fill the void left by Aaron Judge during the slugger’s absence, his track record with ABS challenges — just 26.7 percent success rate — stands as one of the more glaring inefficiencies in his game this year.

The system, which allows players to challenge ball-strike calls via a limited number of appeals per game, was designed to increase accuracy and reduce disputes. But it has also created a new kind of theater, as players like Chisholm discover the hard way that perception and technology don’t always align.

Chisholm declined to comment after the game, according to team officials. The Yankees organization has not issued any statement regarding his challenge strategy, but the numbers speak for themselves.

For a team trying to maintain its grip on the AL East, every at-bat matters. And while Chisholm’s swagger is part of what makes him a fan favorite, his 4-for-15 clip on ABS challenges suggests he might want to dial back the instinct to test the robot umpire. At least until he’s sure the ball is actually outside.