During spring training, MLB experimented with an ABS (automated strike zone) challenge system for a majority of the games, but the league made it clear that the system wasn't going to be in place for the 2025 regular season.
Umpire CB Bucknor probably lucked out there because Sunday would have been an embarrassing day for him at Coors Field if ABS was in place.
Bucknor — despite not garnering Angel Hernandez-level attention — has been among baseball's worst umpires behind the plate for years. Last season, only one umpire performed worse (and it was close!), and he's off to another dreadful start in 2025.
Working behind the plate in the Rockies' 12-5 win over the Athletics, Bucknor missed 15 ball-strike calls with four incorrectly called strikeouts. Some of them weren't even close.
Umpire CB Bucknor blew 15 calls including 4 strikeouts in the Rockies Athletics game. Of the 15 bad calls, 11 went against the Rockies.
— Umpire Auditor (@UmpireAuditor) April 7, 2025
Bucknor leads the league in blown strikeouts. pic.twitter.com/TOiVM8yx6l
We would have seen plenty of challenges had ABS been in place for that game. In the meantime, though, we're stuck with poor performances like that from Bucknor.
MLB fans understandably were not impressed ... at all.
This was how Twitter/X reacted
Next season can’t come soon enough https://t.co/00pC8RGpfI
— BrandNew Da Homie™ (@heyo_brandnew) April 7, 2025
If you asked 100 baseball fans which umpire had the most blown strikeout calls, all 100 would say CB Bucknor. https://t.co/mECek4wq3M
— Mr Bean (@RealMrBean99) April 7, 2025
And STILL @MLB does nothing. @MLBUAhttps://t.co/yyX7RFHHpk
— Jeff (@insaBordeNation) April 7, 2025
The worst - https://t.co/gDXFQLNoOl
— Mike Fasano (@fasanomike) April 7, 2025
Ever since Angel retired, He has moved into first place of awful umpiring. https://t.co/YEChIZVl8c
— Diamond Deck Discussions: Unfiltered (@ddeckdiscussion) April 7, 2025
This could be fixed tomorrow with technology but the @MLBUA insists on making the game worse. https://t.co/ntEifsUNbA
— Hawk Takes (@Hawk_Takes)Save Story Topics in this Story
