The Kansas City Royals have had a rollercoaster of a season so far. Sitting at 19-25 and currently in last place in the American League Central, the team is searching for consistency. But amid the struggles, there's one area where the Royals are finding real success: the new ABS (Automated Ball-Strike) challenge system.
Starting pitcher Kris Bubic recently gave a big shoutout to veteran catcher Salvador Perez for his mastery of the system, as reported by Foul Territory. Bubic noted that the Royals' catchers as a whole have been excelling at knowing exactly when to challenge a call. He admitted that pitchers sometimes want borderline pitches to be strikes, even when they're just off the plate, so having catchers who can make smart, successful challenges is a huge advantage.
As of May 14, Perez is tied for eighth in MLB among catchers with 21 total successful challenges. His record of 21-29 gives him an impressive 72.4 percent success rate—among the best in the entire league. It's no surprise that a 36-year-old who has been in the majors since 2011 has such a sharp understanding of the strike zone. While his offensive numbers this year show a .300 OBP and a tendency not to walk often, his knowledge of the zone behind the plate remains top-notch.
The Royals are fortunate to have a catcher of Perez's caliber calling games and handling challenges. And for backup catcher Carter Jensen, learning from a veteran like Perez is an invaluable opportunity. The Royals' pitchers are in good hands.
Still, the team has dropped four straight games, including a three-game sweep at the hands of the Chicago White Sox. The Royals are looking for that spark to turn things around. Their next test comes this weekend with a three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals in St. Louis, starting Friday night. The Cardinals have been one of baseball's biggest surprises this season, so the Royals will have their work cut out for them on the road.
Despite the ups and downs, Kansas City still has plenty of potential. A winning streak could be just around the corner—and with Perez behind the plate, they already have one of the game's best in the challenge game.