I’ll start off by saying, I know the new season just started, but is there too much action on the basepaths?

That simply doesn’t seem right to say, being that we have been asking and dreaming of the day we get a more action-packed, fast-paced ballgame, and stray away from the super analytical showdown.

With how much easier the MLB made it to steal bases it could, and already has, altered the style of the game entirely.

Statistically speaking, the stolen base rate is up significantly from last year. On Opening Day last year, only six bases were stolen on 11 attempts. This year, on Opening Day alone, 21 bases were stolen on 23 attempts.

That’s a 350% increase from last year to this year and there’s no sign of teams letting off the gas.

On top of that, with the shift also being banned this offseason, on-base-percentage, and “small-ball” type strategies gained value overnight. Teams like the Baltimore Orioles and the Miami Marlins, whose rosters are built on young, fast, OBP hitters, complimented by strong, stingy pitching, has created a tough win scenario for any team facing their ball club.

This increase in stolen base production has now allowed new teams to be competitive, and could change many organizations destinies. I think overall this is good for the game, and this puts a higher value on young, speedy players, and could cause older players or older ball clubs to run into some difficulties as the season progresses.

However, adapting is a part of every game, including baseball, and how teams choose to approach these new rule changes will have significant impact on the downfalls, and also successes of every club.

To me, it just seems like the MLB, is causing an extreme incline in a single stat, in the matter of just one offseason. This scenario now has the ability to change the trajectory of teams all across the league, and feels too aggressive for just one year. As games continue to be won and lost, and teams travel up and down the standings, we will have a better understanding of how crucial these rule changes really were. Until then, we wait and simply enjoy baseball being back.

Do you think too many bases are being stolen in 2023? Let us know on Twitter @WeLikeSportzPC.

-Riley Bry

@RileyBry_

*Photo courtesy of PressBoxOnline.com*