Phillies' J.T. Realmuto urged to make one major catching change

Phillies' J.T. Realmuto urged to make one major catching change originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

>With the new ABS challenge system introduced in the Majors in 2026, both hitters and fielders are adjusting to the new process.

>Of course, the Philadelphia Phillies are a part of that group.

>Some Phillies players are challenging at a much higher rate than others. Philadelphia's pitching staff signaled for a challenge just seven times as of Thursday.

>Phillies catchers have been successful, but their starting backstop, J.T. Realmuto, may not be challenging nearly as often as he should be.

>"Phillies catchers have won 25 of their 39 challenges. Realmuto is 14-4 on his challenges. He has one of the best success rates in the sport," The Athletic's Matt Gelb wrote.

>"But he’s challenging way less than most catchers. Put it this way: Realmuto has caught the ninth-most innings in MLB but had the 47th-most challenges among catchers as of Thursday," Gelb added. "Even Rafael Marchán, who has caught 166 fewer innings, has challenged more than Realmuto."

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>Perhaps the Phillies coaching staff will urge Realmuto to challenge more pitches. Given his track record thus far, he clearly can be successful in that area.

>It appears the veteran, like everyone else, needed time to adjust.

>But manager Don Mattingly and Realmuto's teammates probably believe in his knowledge of the strike zone.

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