One of the biggest learning curves in the 2026 season was the introduction of the automatic ball-strike system.

While it had been tested in the minor leagues for quite some time and then eventually was implemented in Spring Training, the Arizona Diamondbacks likely didn't expect they'd be a top-three team in the league in terms of successful challenges.

Not only were they top three in the league overall, but the D-backs batters actually finished the regular season with a league-best 56.9%, according to ESPN's Jacob Nitzberg.

For reference, the league average was just 49%.

In terms of individual players, Nitzberg revealed that Gabriel Moreno had the best success rate as he went 17-for-25, which comes out to 68%.

To put things into perspective, of players who challenged at least 20 times at the plate, there were a pair of players around the league who went 6-for-24.

Remember, this data only includes the regular season, but it's still great to see the D-backs leading the way.

Officially, their 56.9% batter success rate was the best in all of baseball. There were 13 teams that finished over 50% on the season, with the lowest coming in at 41.7%, a full 15.2% lower than the Diamondbacks.

Most teams tell their pitchers not to challenge. The catcher has a far better idea of what is a ball or strike, but that doesn't stop pitchers from sometimes going into business for themselves.

Obviously, to be an MLB pitcher you have to have a good knowledge of the strike zone, but a guy like Cristopher Sanchez went 0-for-5. Drew Anderson led the way with five successful challenges as a pitcher.

The Diamondbacks pitching staff stayed out of the way, for the most part, and they had a 62.2% success rate, which was eighth in the league. The top team came in at 69.4%, so there was quite a wide gap between the two teams.

Not making the playoffs was a tough pill to swallow, but the D-backs know they have a solid foundation to build on going into next season.

Overall, they had a 59.7% total success rate, which wasn't too far behind the league's best (61.6%).

There's no doubt Arizona's battery brought this total down, and it'll be interesting to see if Moreno and the rest of these hitters can replicate a first-place ABS finish next season.