It’s the year of the steal, haven’t you heard?
The Washington Post and Wall Street Journal are proclaiming it. Deep-dive baseball statistical websites are analyzing the stolen-base surge in the most detailed of terms. MLB Network rolled out the freshest numbers Friday morning, and the data is fascinating.
MLB's successful stolen-base percentage of 81.3% so far this season is on track to become an all-time high. The risk-reward of trying to steal has never been more in the runner’s favor than it is right now. The bigger bases and strict pick-off limits, both brand new to the game this year, have led to an uptick in attempts and a big surge in successful ones, with no slowdown in sight.