Welcome to this week’s edition of SAGNOF’s Stolen Base reports. After a week of rest in the Wisconsin Northwoods. I’m back to share some SB fun and thoughts as we head into the closing weeks of the season.
The time is approaching when we have to start looking at our leagues and see where we can squeeze a few points on the board. In the daily leagues, we always want to increase the ABs, but what direction do we go with those ABs now that we should be told where to get the points.
Below are a few names I’ll throw out that are available in over 50% of ESPN leagues that might get you a few extra SB points. I’ll also get you your regular weekly dose of day specific options in the speed dial section below.
Xavier Edwards – There shouldn’t be many talented leagues left without Edwards on their roster. Fortunately, many people have moved on to football and it is still out there in many places. His running speed isn’t great, but he doesn’t have a soft touch and hits the ball hard on the ground. This leads to a high BABIP which translates to more chances on the bases with his low K-Rate and high BB-Rate. He has a .433 OBP in 165 plate appearances and is 16 for 18 on base. Catch him in all leagues if available.
Jacob Young – Yes, he is at the bottom of the list of the best. He stole 27 bases and pitched every day against CJ Abrams. If running (which is 62 of you) or stealth is your need I highly recommend picking him up and putting him in your lineup every day.
Tyler Fitzgerald – Another guy who shouldn’t be found anywhere, but somehow. Has 12 home runs and 12 steals in 185 plate appearances… memorized a full season… has 40/40 potential.
Zach Neto – He has been promoted and is now hitting 2nd every day. He has strong contact levels and decent strength to go along with his basic stealth skills. He would definitely be a 25/25 guy and available in 75% of leagues. Lots of roasters can use him so what are you waiting for?
Here is our Stolen Base Leaderboard for Monday August 12th
Speed Dials:
0 out of 4 Speed Dials last time out.
Overall, that puts us at 13 out of 60 on the season.
Keep in mind that these are the exact dates you can pick up and spread guys in daily leagues. A reminder of these statistics and analysis includes data for 2023 and 2024.
Braves vs Giants – Wednesday August 14
Whit Merrifield – This guy was Zach Neto before Neto. The bat has lost some ability, but the legs haven’t had 29.0 Ft/Sec and 40 steals over the past two seasons including 14 no-hitters this year. He will face Robbie Ray who recently returned with 2 stolen bases. Ray is allowing a .296 SB/IP so far. Patrick Bailey is MLB’s leading catcher in slugging, but if he doesn’t rest on Tuesday he will sit out the day game on Wednesday. Curt Casili is in the middle of the pack.
Red Sox vs Orioles – Thursday August 15th
Choose the Red Sock – Tough day Thursday with many pitchers doing a good job of catching runners. I’ll be looking at David Hamilton or Ceddanne Rafaela to swipe the bag away from Corbin Burnes if they come on board. Burnes isn’t great at holding runners but limits traffic very well. He has a 90% success rate against a .131 SB/IP even with his low WHIP. Adley Rutschman and James McCann are both among the pack’s catchers in reducing runners.
Blue Jays vs Cubs – Friday August 16
Daulton Varsho – His contact skills aren’t as good as he’d hoped, but he’s still fast at 28.4 Ft/sec and is 26 of 35 on steal attempts over the past two seasons. He will face Kyle Hendricks and the Cubs Friday. Professor is allowing 85% of steals and has a .149 SB/IP. Christian Bethancourt is #4 on the Catcher Throwing Leaderboard, but the main man behind the plate Miguel Amaya only puts down 10% of runners and has one of the worst Pop Times in all of MLB.
Twins vs Rangers – Saturday August 17th
Willi Castro – The leading man who steals bases as a career is available in about 65% of leagues. He hasn’t done a great job…his career this season is just 12 of 19 on base. He went down to 27.8 Ft/sec again. So why do I think you get one Saturday? The reason is that Tyler Mahle has allowed a few this season in less than ten innings. Let’s grab Willi on Saturday to go steal.
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