Not to snipe the argument, but I know there's been some consternation over just how baseball-applicable the statcast speed metrics turn out to be. If i remember correctly, it's basically measuring jailbreak speeds over short distances fully underway.
Maybe this gives some false sense of "speed" in the context of stealing bases? I don't know.
The Pirates entered '23 with the mantra of being aggressive on the basepaths and in fact stole 41 bases in the first month (which extrapolated to a full season would have easily led the league; the Reds led the league with 190). However, it seemed like after some bad baserunning mistakes from being overaggressive, we got a lot more conservative, not stealing more than 21 bases in any of the remaining months, and finished the year exactly at the MLB average of 117. Our offense in general declined after that first month, but I think the drop in SBs goes beyond that.
Last year we took a step back and only stole 106 bases, 15 below the league average of 121. Obviously, being aggressive isn't only about stealing bases, but the SB data is easy to find. It will be interesting to see how '25 plays out. I agree that we have the speed, but will we make good use of that speed?
As an aside, I was curious about the Reds after seeing that they led the league in '23 and finished 3rd in '24...the Reds only stole 19 bases that first month of '23 but became a base-stealing machine starting in June (I wonder what happened in June '23 ;)) stealing 50 that month and 29-35 each of the remaining months). They stole even more bases in '24 but still finished behind the Nationals and Brewers...add in the Cubs at 8th, and the NL Central is _the_ base-stealing division.
17 Days to Early Reports for Pitchers and Catchers? Some of the guys are probably getting anxious and wishing they could be there now. Wonder how many have already moved into the Bradenton Area and are working out on their own. Is it against any MLB Rules if they choose to use the fields at Pirate City for unsupervised activities such as throwing, long toss, fielding, BP, etc? When will the Coaches start to arrive to begin planning and organizing activities?
Much faster team than you’d think at first glance. Ironically, though, the guy whose hitting skills are best suited to leadoff, Horwitz, grades out at . . . uh . . . 7.
I'd platoon Cutch and Horwitz at leadoff. I think it's important to have a leadoff guy who'll take some pitches and get on base, and I also like the idea of a guy with at least OK power. I care more about that than stealing bases.
Pure speed is nice, but getting the break is the most important part of stealing a base, and that is the point where the runner loses the most time. NG has excellent footspeed, but having 5 SB out of 8 SBA last year means he could be successful 62.5% of the time - not good. Horwitz was 0-0 which tells me the Jays did not want him trying to steal.
On our team IKF was 8 for 9 - 89% VG. Cruz was 22 of 23 about 94% Excellent. Ke was 11 of 13 or about 84% Good. Suwinski 9 of 10 90% VG. Reynolds was also around 85% Good. Yorke was 2 of 2 Excellent in only a limited number of times on base.
The fastest runners do not always make the best base stealers - if the runner is not reading the pitcher well, he could lose more time on the jump than raw speed will make up.
Not to snipe the argument, but I know there's been some consternation over just how baseball-applicable the statcast speed metrics turn out to be. If i remember correctly, it's basically measuring jailbreak speeds over short distances fully underway.
Maybe this gives some false sense of "speed" in the context of stealing bases? I don't know.
Always loved watching Frank Taveras and Omar Moreno back in the day. Lot of fun on the base-paths.
This is an easily teachable skill compared to hitting.
The Pirates entered '23 with the mantra of being aggressive on the basepaths and in fact stole 41 bases in the first month (which extrapolated to a full season would have easily led the league; the Reds led the league with 190). However, it seemed like after some bad baserunning mistakes from being overaggressive, we got a lot more conservative, not stealing more than 21 bases in any of the remaining months, and finished the year exactly at the MLB average of 117. Our offense in general declined after that first month, but I think the drop in SBs goes beyond that.
Last year we took a step back and only stole 106 bases, 15 below the league average of 121. Obviously, being aggressive isn't only about stealing bases, but the SB data is easy to find. It will be interesting to see how '25 plays out. I agree that we have the speed, but will we make good use of that speed?
As an aside, I was curious about the Reds after seeing that they led the league in '23 and finished 3rd in '24...the Reds only stole 19 bases that first month of '23 but became a base-stealing machine starting in June (I wonder what happened in June '23 ;)) stealing 50 that month and 29-35 each of the remaining months). They stole even more bases in '24 but still finished behind the Nationals and Brewers...add in the Cubs at 8th, and the NL Central is _the_ base-stealing division.
Nick faster than Bae……?
Is that Billy Cook’s music I hear?! Kachow
17 Days to Early Reports for Pitchers and Catchers? Some of the guys are probably getting anxious and wishing they could be there now. Wonder how many have already moved into the Bradenton Area and are working out on their own. Is it against any MLB Rules if they choose to use the fields at Pirate City for unsupervised activities such as throwing, long toss, fielding, BP, etc? When will the Coaches start to arrive to begin planning and organizing activities?
And still no RFer to speak of
BRey in RF, Suwinski/Cook in LF that’s going to be our opening day line up…..🫣
I like BRey in RF, Cruz in CF, with an open competition
in LF Suwinski/Palacios as lefty bats and Cook/Yorke as right handed options if no one else is brought in.
Ouch
Much faster team than you’d think at first glance. Ironically, though, the guy whose hitting skills are best suited to leadoff, Horwitz, grades out at . . . uh . . . 7.
Just me, but my top 3 in the lineup would be...
1. Cruz
2. Reynolds
3. Horwitz
I'd platoon Cutch and Horwitz at leadoff. I think it's important to have a leadoff guy who'll take some pitches and get on base, and I also like the idea of a guy with at least OK power. I care more about that than stealing bases.
Pure speed is nice, but getting the break is the most important part of stealing a base, and that is the point where the runner loses the most time. NG has excellent footspeed, but having 5 SB out of 8 SBA last year means he could be successful 62.5% of the time - not good. Horwitz was 0-0 which tells me the Jays did not want him trying to steal.
On our team IKF was 8 for 9 - 89% VG. Cruz was 22 of 23 about 94% Excellent. Ke was 11 of 13 or about 84% Good. Suwinski 9 of 10 90% VG. Reynolds was also around 85% Good. Yorke was 2 of 2 Excellent in only a limited number of times on base.
The fastest runners do not always make the best base stealers - if the runner is not reading the pitcher well, he could lose more time on the jump than raw speed will make up.