MLB Strike Zone Change 2025: Umpire Grading Shift Surprises Players

A quiet but impactful adjustment in how Major League Baseball evaluates umpires is making waves across the league. The MLB strike zone change, implemented for the 2025 season, has significantly reduced the “buffer zone” used in umpire grading — and it’s already altering how games are played.

What Changed?
Under a new labor agreement with the Major League Umpires Association, MLB shrank the buffer zone used to assess umpire accuracy from 2 inches to just 0.75 inches around the plate. While the official rulebook strike zone remains the same, this adjustment has led to fewer borderline pitches being called strikes.

Why MLB Strike Zone Change Matters
Players — especially pitchers and catchers — say they’ve noticed the difference. “Everybody’s zone has shrunk,” said Angels catcher Travis d’Arnaud. Teams are now rethinking pitch framing, sequencing, and even roster construction. Some believe it could influence the types of hitters and pitchers clubs prioritize going forward.

Lack of Communication?
Many players and managers say they were never told about the change before Opening Day. While MLB states that general managers and field managers were briefed during the offseason, several managers and front-office staff told The Athletic they had no recollection of being informed. The MLB Players Association also said they were monitoring the situation but declined further comment.

The Data Backs It Up
Early-season stats show a notable increase in called balls on pitches near the MLB Strike Zone Change — particularly in what’s known as the “shadow zone,” the area bordering the plate. According to Statcast, this April saw the highest number of such calls since 2017.

A Divided Reaction
Pitchers are frustrated, feeling at a disadvantage, while many hitters are in favor. Astros first baseman Christian Walker summed it up: “As a hitter, is it over the plate or not? That’s what we’re doing out there.”

What’s Next?
The league’s competition committee is expected to review the matter in an upcoming meeting. Whether the MLB Strike Zone Change remains or is modified, players are calling for one key improvement moving forward: better communication.

As one veteran pitcher put it, “Any time we change the goal posts, just let us know so we can prepare.”