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A16 SPORTS
Saturday 22 June 2024
Reds, Brewers, Nationals are on pace to post highest stolen-base

totals of any MLB team since 1990s

By STEVE MEGARGEE
AP Sports Writer
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Cincin-
nati’s Elly De La Cruz un-
derstands how much of a
distraction he causes to
opposing pitchers whenever
he gets on base.
“It seems like they get a
little bit nervous right there
when I go out there,” De
La Cruz, who has a major
league-leading 37 steals,
said through a translator.
With De La Cruz leading the
way, the Reds are stealing
bases at a rate unseen over
the last three decades. And
the Milwaukee Brewers and
Washington Nationals are
right on their heels.
No team this century has
stolen more than 200 bases Cincinnati Reds’ Elly De La Cruz scores ahead of the tag by Milwaukee Brewers’ William Contreras during the third inning of a
in a single season (the 2007 baseball game Sunday, June 16, 2024, in Milwaukee. Associated Press
New York Mets had exactly
200). The Reds, Brewers and teams had combined for Nationals manager Dave But it hasn’t made much of Young (17), Lane Thomas
Nationals are all on pace to 1,653 steals through Thurs- Martinez said last week he a difference. (16), Winker, Trey Lipscomb
blow past that mark as they day – 70 more than there believes the Nationals can According to Sportradar, (10) and CJ Abrams (10).
capitalize on rule changes were at this date last year. keep up this stolen-base all of MLB started tracking The Brewers have four play-
put in place last year to help “They got what they want- pace but noted that they the number of times a run- ers with double-digit steals:
spur the running game. ed,” Brewers first-base need to do a better job of ner was caught stealing in Turang, Christian Yelich (15),
Cincinnati has 107 steals coach Quintin Berry said. picking their spots. 1951. Since then, no team Willy Adames (10) and Per-
through its first 74 games “They wanted (stealing “I don’t want to take away has stolen at least 200 bases kins (10).
and is on pace for 234. That bases) to be a lot easier. our aggressiveness because with a success rate of over Cincinnati has De La Cruz
would represent the highest They wanted more action it’s our identity,” Martinez 81.3%. This year’s Brewers on pace for 81 steals, which
total for any team since the on the basepaths. And with said. “It’s who we are. We have been successful on would represent the highest
1992 Brewers had 256, ac- the rules and the bags and have to do that. We don’t nearly 86% of their attempts. total for any MLB player since
cording to Sportradar. everything else, it’s more in have those guys in the line- The Reds have converted 1988. The Reds have two
The NL Central-leading line for base stealers. I won- up hitting 30, 40 home runs. 81% of their stolen base tries. more players with double-
Brewers have 104 steals der if they’re going to ever We have to push the enve- The Nationals have been digit steals (Spencer Steer
through 75 games and the do anything to try to coun- lope somehow and move caught stealing an MLB-high with 12, Jake Fraley with 11)
Nationals 101 through 74 ter that, because it’s getting the baseball. With that be- 34 times and have been suc- and five others with at least
games. That puts the Brew- so high now, but I know fans ing said, we’ve had a lot of cessful on three-quarters of six.These three teams don’t
ers on pace for at least 224 are loving it, so probably conversations the last few their attempts. have anyone with more
and the Nationals on track not.” days about when to run, Milwaukee players credit than 12 homers, so they’re
for 221. No team has finished While the Reds are building when not to run.” Berry’s scouting reports for finding other ways to gener-
a season with over 201 steals off what they did last year, Reds first base coach Collin helping them make sure ate offense. The Brewers’ 5-4
since the 1993 Montreal Ex- when they had an MLB- Cowgill says stealing bases they go at the right time. victory over the Reds on Sun-
pos had 228. leading 190 steals, the Brew- now isn’t as easy as it was “We have a lot of guys who day was a classic example.
“As the saying goes, speed ers and Nationals got much last year because teams are fast and athletic and In the third inning, De La Cruz
never slumps,” Brewers out- more aggressive this season. are trying harder to contain can run,” said Brewers sec- drew a two-out walk, stole
fielder Blake Perkins said. “It’s The Brewers ranked 11th in the running game. Cowgill ond baseman Brice Turang, a base and scored all the
always something we’ve got the majors with 129 steals said Arizona Diamondbacks whose 26 steals rank second way from second on an er-
in our back pocket.” and the Nationals were 12th starting pitchers went to a in the majors. “It’s part of the rant pickoff attempt. Four in-
Major League Baseball in- with 127 in 2023. slide-step whenever the game. You’ve got to take nings later, Turang reached
creased the size of the bases No other teams had more Reds put a runner on base advantage of it and help on an infield hit, stole sec-
from 15 square inches to 18 than 77 steals heading into against them. your team win. ond, advanced to third on
square inches last year and Friday’s games. “That just didn’t happen last “Even guys who maybe a poor throw and scored on
ruled pitchers could only “Giving up one of your 27 year,” Cowgill said. “I think aren’t as fast are stealing Yelich’s bunt single.
disengage from the rubber outs on the bases is a no-no, people are definitely doing bases too, trying to get “Just different philosophies
to call timeout or attempt you know, in the era where a better job defending it. good jumps.” for different teams,” Cow-
a pickoff throw twice per one pitch can change Catchers are more aware That’s the case with all three gill said. “We’re more get on
plate appearance. a game with a three-run of it. Their stances are a little teams atop the stolen-base base and cause some cha-
Those rule changes led to homer,” Brewers manager taller. They’re ready to throw charts. For instance, Wash- os. So are the Brewers. So
3,503 stolen bases last year Pat Murphy said. “There’s more. The leg isn’t kicked ington’s Jesse Winker en- are the Nationals. I just think

the highest total since 1987 a lot of risk in it. You’ve got out as much. I think people tered this season with three (it’s about) the way your
and a 41% increase over to be willing to do it. Maybe have done a much better steals in 610 career games. team is built. If we had a 50-
2022 – plus an MLB-record teams like ours are willing to job this year of controlling He’s swiped 11 bags already home run guy in the middle
success rate of over 80%. The risk. You’ve got to have the it and paying attention to this year. of the order, we might be
success rate has dropped personnel to emphasize it it more so than last year, Washington has five players less likely to steal bases when
to 78.4% this year, but MLB and get good at it.” which makes sense.” with at least 10 steals: Jacob that guy’s at the plate.”q