White Sox players calling ‘em like they feel ‘em under MLB’s new ABS challenge system

MIAMI — The first few games of the ABS era have been a mixed bag for the White Sox.

Catcher Edgar Quero hasn’t been shy about questioning umpires under the new Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System implemented this season, but Sox hitters are still feeling it out.

“We’ve seen them less willing to pull the trigger on some challenges,” manager Will Venable said. “And I don’t get instant feedback on all these pitches on where they’re at, but it seems like we’re seeing less challenges from hitters.”

Only Lenyn Sosa and Tristan Peters called for reviews in Milwaukee. Both lost, and Peters wasn’t particularly close.

Quero challenged seven calls from behind the plate in the first three games, getting four bad ones overturned. No Sox pitcher initiated a review during their first series.

So should Venable’s players be quicker to tap their hat or helmet?

“If they’re right, yeah,” he laughed. “We want to make sure we’re challenging the right pitches… It’s still new for a lot of these guys.”

Venable didn’t tip his squad’s ABS playbook, but he said “a mid-at-bat challenge is different than a potential strikeout or walk at-bat-ending challenge. There’s different things, different parts of the zone that we’ve talked about, different guidelines.”

Quero said he’ll keep going off his gut.

“Yeah, [based on] good feelings and… seeing the ball, where it’s coming from, and knowing the strike zone a little bit better,” he said.

Anthony Kay’s start Sunday in Milwaukee marked his first big-league action in two-and-a-half years, coming to the Sox on a two-year, $12 million contract after rejuvenating his career with a stint in Japan.

“I’ve just grown so much mentally those couple years in Japan,” the 31-year-old left hander said. “That’s been a huge difference for me in my career.”

It wasn’t pretty, but Kay turned in the Sox’ best start of their abysmal opening series, giving up two runs on three hits and four walks over 4 ⅔ innings with five strikeouts.

“Definitely got a little emotional walking out to the bullpen before the game,” Kay said. “Definitely was a little amped up and had to hone that in a little bit. I think I did a good job of settling in after that.”

It wasn’t exactly the season-opening sensation the Sox have gotten from a certain other Nippon Professional Baseball veteran on their roster. But the team are relying on Kay to eat serious innings this year while waiting for a wave of talented arms to emerge from Triple-A Charlotte.

Kay got a preview of his new teammate Munetaka Murakami’s prodigious power while facing him overseas.

“I’m not surprised by it,” Kay said of Murakami’s three homers in his first three career games. “ I know some people are, but I’ve seen it.”

Numbers game

Before Opening Day, Quero switched his jersey number from the 7 that he debuted with last year to 26, which holds a personal significance as a combination of the birth dates of his mother, his sister and his own, the catcher said.

It’s also the number Korey Lee wore for the Sox till being designated for assignment at the end of spring training, ending up the odd man out when general manager Chris Getz signed the superior pitch framer Reese McGuire.

Lee cleared waivers and is now wearing 26 at Charlotte.