New York Yankees pitcher Luis Severino has made his feelings about an automated strike zone abundantly clear.
“It sucks,” Severino said.
Minor League baseball clubs at the Triple-A level implemented electronic strike zones for the 2023 season. Severino made a minor league rehab start earlier this month and got a firsthand experience of how it works.
“It’s way too small,’’ Severino elaborated. “A hitter can stand there and not swing and be [at] 3-1 every time he’s up.”
Baseball has recently seen some big changes with the implementation of a pitch clock, larger bases and a ban on infield shifts in the big leagues this season.
Last season, the league began having teams automatically place a runner on second base to start the top and bottom of extra innings.
Severino’s teammate, Ryan Weber, also expressed his displeasure with the automated strike zone’s size.
“I’ve thrown enough pitches to know what’s a ball and what’s a strike, and they were both strikes,’’ Weber said. “I really hope it doesn’t come here. It’s getting sneaky close.”
The automated ball-strike system will be used the remainder of the minor league season, with the MLB continuing to test the system.
Luis Severino of the New York Yankees pitches in the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park May 21, 2023, in Cincinnati. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
But Severino said he wants the ABS to undergo some significant alterations before he has to deal with it again.
“Hopefully, it won’t be here for seven or eight [years] and I’ll be in my house, retired,’’ Severino said with a laugh.