Pitching phenom Paul Skenes not a fan of automated strikezone: 'I like the human aspect of the game'

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Like it or hate it (Paul Skenes leans towards the latter), an automated strikezone is coming to Major League Baseball, likely sooner rather than later.

This year marked the first when players could challenge balls and strikes during spring training, after years of experimentation in the minor leagues.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred has said he'd like it to be in the regular season by 2026, but Skenes recently said he is "happy" that it isn't there this year.

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Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) pitches in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field.  (Benny Sieu-USA Today Sports)

"I like the human aspect of the game, because I think that there are games where the umpire's zone is big, and there are games where the umpire's zone is small," the Pittsburgh Pirates ace said. "You bring in the automatic strikezone, it completely devalues framing, which effectively eliminates the catching position. I have mixed feelings towards it. I do like the human aspect of the game, but there's definitely something to be said about being objective with the strikezone."

This spring, teams will get two challenges per game, but they are able to retain each challenge won. Only the batter, pitcher or catcher can challenge a call, and it must be immediately after the call, with no help from the bench or other players.

Paul Skenes, #30 of the Pittsburgh Pirates, delivers a pitch in the first inning during the game against the New York Mets at PNC Park on July 5, 2024, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Justin Berl/Getty Images)

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