Acuna, Ruiz, A Two-Horse Race For Most Stolen Bases

When Major League Baseball changed its rules last season there was a huge spike in stolen

bases. With larger base sizes and new limits when it came to pickoff moves saw a 40%

increase in stolen bases from 2022, the biggest jump year-to-year in the modern baseball era.

In 2022, baseball saw 2,487 stolen bases, and a year later, 3,503. And there were more than

1,000 attempts in 2023, compared to the previous season, with a success rate of over 80%,

another record.

Top Stealers

Ronald Acuna Jr., Atlanta Braves (+175)

It seems Ronald Acuna Jr. is favored to win almost all individual awards this season but this one

may be his shortest odds. He had an exceptional stealing season recording 73 in 2023, the

most in the majors and the second time he’s led the National League after swiping 37 in 2019.

He’s battled injuries in the past but played 159 games last season. If he stays healthy there’s

no doubt he’ll be looking to repeat as the “Thief of Major League Baseball.”

Esteury Ruiz, Oakland Athletics (+275)

Esteury Ruiz was the only thing that went well for the Athletics last season as the rookie ‘stole’

the show, well, more like bases, racking up 67 in 132 games. In fact, Ruiz was on pace for 83

before an injury in early July. He swiped 15 bases in the final 25 games but couldn’t catch

Acuna for the league lead. Considering he was just 6 steals behind Acuna with almost 150

fewer at-bats makes him a real contender if he stays healthy.

Elly De La Cruz, Cincinnati Reds +850

Elly De La Cruz was another rookie trying to make his mark as a thief. In his first season in the

bigs De La Cruz has 35 stolen bases in 43 attempts in just 98 games. MLB measured his sprint

speed at 30.5 feet per second, fastest in the league. If Cruz can make some adjustments, and

increase his batting statistics, he could make a serious run at leading the league in his first full

season as a pro.

Longshot Thief

Nico Hoerner, Chicago Cubs (+4000)

First hear me out before you poo-poo on this one. In the first 3 seasons in the majors, where he

played less than 50 games annually, Hoerner had a career best 5 stolen bases. Two years ago,

he swiped 20 bags. But last season, he more than doubled that output posting a career-best 43

stolen bases, most from a Cubs player since 2006. He may not be the fastest but has great

instincts for finding the right time to make a dash. At +4000, why the heck not!