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Even though it isn't coming to meaningful games quite yet, the automated ball-strike system (ABS) that has been utilized throughout MLB spring training took some effort to set up. One of the necessary steps was to take height measurements of each player to compute the vertical boundaries (top and bottom) of their strike zone.
Instead of defaulting to the listed heights available, the league remeasured everybody, and it's good that they did because there were some...discrepancies.
Inspired by Jim Margalus of Sox Machine, I compared the current listed heights of Miami Marlins players to those that had been displayed in early February.
The only Marlin whose height changed by multiple inches? Diminutive shortstop Xavier Edwards. Previously believed to be 5'10", Edwards is now down to 5'8".
The other players on the 40-man roster who shrunk as a result of the ABS process are Derek Hill (from 6'1" to 6'0") and Victor Mesa Jr. (6'0" to 5'11").
Surprisingly, just as many Marlins added to their height. Jesús Sánchez (6'3" to 6'4"), Agustín Ramírez (6'0" to 6'1") and Jonah Bride (5'10" to 5'11") went up one inch apiece.
During Grapefruit League action, which concludes this weekend, each team has been allowed to challenge two pitches per game. Those challenges can be initiated by either the pitcher, batter or catcher. The entire process has typically taken less than 30 seconds per challenge before the pitch's precise location is shown and play resumes.
The general belief is that ABS will be coming to the MLB regular season in 2026. In the meantime, there will be plenty of borderline calls for players and fans to whine about.
Will Xavier Edwards lead the Marlins in hits again in 2026?
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