Each year during Spring Training, I write an article that covers late-round steals sources. Securing swipes has been among the most challenging tasks for managers in recent years, but as Bob Dylan said, “The Times They Are A-Changin’.” By making two major rule changes, MLB has given would-be base stealers every reason to get aggressive this year.
First, the league has expanded the size of the bases from 15 to 18 inches, which will improve players’ ability to slide to avoid being tagged and also slightly reduce the distance between bases. And more importantly, any pitcher who makes three disengagements from the mound in one plate appearance without recording an out will cause the base runners to automatically move up one base.