Ronald Acuña Jr.'s ABS mix-up highlights potential hurdle for Braves players in WBC

Ronald Acuña Jr. just had his Chris Webber moment. No, he didn’t call a timeout he didn’t have — but he did attempt to challenge a pitch during Venezuela’s exhibition game against the Astros, only to quickly realize the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) challenge system isn’t used in World Baseball Classic play.

While that comparison may be a bit hyperbolic, it underscores a point that has already produced several viral moments in the early weeks of the ABS era in Major League Baseball. For Acuña Jr. and other Braves players set to participate in the World Baseball Classic, the ping-pong nature of ABS implementation could take some getting used to.

WBC did Braves hitter's no favors by excluding ABS system in tournament play

The adjustment to ABS has gone over well in the early days of spring, and hitters with excellent strike-zone recognition like Acuña Jr. and Matt Olson have already taken advantage. Unfortunately for Acuña, Ozzie Albies and others playing in the WBC, they won’t be afforded the same reps with the system as teammates who remain in Braves camp and continue playing in spring training games.

Significant rule changes like the pitch clock, a few years ago, required the entirety of spring training—and more—for big leaguers to make the necessary adjustments. While ABS isn’t nearly as daunting, any missed time getting familiar with the system can still be a disadvantage.

Thankfully, players participating in the WBC will have the chance to get those reps once the tournament concludes, and ideally build enough confidence to make the right challenge—or no-challenge—decisions during the regular season.

For now, it results in minor viral moments like the one Acuña Jr. experienced on Tuesday. However, the hope is that no call of real consequence sparks a larger conversation about why the World Baseball Classic did not have the ABS system at its disposal as well. For the Braves’ stars participating in the WBC, the key will simply be catching up on those reps once they return to camp. By the time the regular season arrives, the hope is that the early confusion gives way to confidence — and a few well-timed challenges that can help swing key moments in Atlanta’s favor.