Now that we are a few weeks into the season, the stolen base landscape is beginning to take shape. The current leader in the clubhouse is Jorge Mateo with seven stolen bases thus far. At this point in the season, it is important to begin evaluating our rosters and gauging team needs. It is important for us to move quickly with respect to stolen bases. Most elite stolen base threats are extremely flawed hitters. Guys like Jorge Mateo are likely to be batting average drags, and others provide little to nothing in terms of power. The longer we wait to correct stolen base deficiencies the more we are forced to add these category deficient players and thus hurting our team as a whole. Adding players who may not add elite speed but are average across other categories early is a great way to help bring yourself back from an early deficit.
Here are a few notes on players who may be adding speed while not dragging you down elsewhere:
- Sheldon Neuse has three bags in 58 PAs so far, he is carrying a high average that’s driven by BABIP but he should continue to play every day, and if he does he could potentially post double-digit homers and steals. He is a good add for fantasy despite the A’s offense
- Joey Wendle is playing regularly for the Marlins and has multi-positional eligibility. His three stolen bases place him among the league leaders thus far. He could recreate his 2018 season where he posted 16 SBs with a near .300 average.
- Nico Hoerner may still be available in a few leagues. He is likely more a sum of all parts type of player but he should be able to hit for a near .300 average while adding 10-15 steals. The power will always be a question mark for him as he is unlikely to reach 10.
- Thairo Estrada has been a star thus far for the Giants. When everyone gets healthy he may have some playing time concerns but ride the hot streak while you can. There is enough power here to reach the 15-20 range if he gets everyday at-bats and the average should be solid enough to not be a drag.
Looking to the week ahead let’s take a look at the catchers who have been run on the most thus far in 2022.
| Name | Team | SB | CS | CS% | Inn | SB/Inn |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travis d’Arnaud | ATL | 11 | 0 | 0.0% | 105 | 0.10 |
| Jacob Stallings | MIA | 11 | 3 | 21.4% | 112.1 | 0.10 |
| Tucker Barnhart | DET | 9 | 2 | 18.2% | 90 | 0.10 |
| Austin Hedges | CLE | 9 | 3 | 25.0% | 111.2 | 0.08 |
| Joey Bart | SFG | 7 | 1 | 12.5% | 100.1 | 0.07 |
| Roberto Perez | PIT | 6 | 3 | 33.3% | 107 | 0.06 |
| Willson Contreras | CHC | 6 | 2 | 25.0% | 104 | 0.06 |
| Keibert Ruiz | WSN | 6 | 4 | 40.0% | 123 | 0.05 |
| Christian Vazquez | BOS | 5 | 4 | 44.4% | 106.1 | 0.05 |
| J.T. Realmuto | PHI | 5 | 3 | 37.5% | 138 | 0.04 |
| Will Smith | LAD | 5 | 1 | 16.7% | 106.2 | 0.05 |
| Martin Maldonado | HOU | 4 | 3 | 42.9% | 108 | 0.04 |
| Salvador Perez | KCR | 4 | 0 | 0.0% | 97 | 0.04 |
| Kyle Higashioka | NYY | 3 | 1 | 25.0% | 101 | 0.03 |
| Sean Murphy | OAK | 1 | 3 | 75.0% | 112.2 | 0.01 |
| Elias Diaz | COL | 0 | 0 | – | 108 | 0.00 |
While we are still at the mercy of who these teams have faced, we can still attack some of the same catchers that it appears teams have been targeting.
- For example, it is clear that teams are running on Travis d’Arnaud. Next week, Atlanta faces the Milwaukee Brewers and the New York Mets. For the Mets, most of their SB threats will be owned like Starling Marte, Francisco Lindor, and others. One name to watch is Travis Jankowski who likely does not play every day but could be an add-in daily leagues for the one/two games he starts to steal a bag or two. For the Brewers, look to add a guy like Lorenzo Cain or Tyrone Taylor who may split time but both of whom could swipe a bag or two when they do.
- Jacob Stallings has a decent CS percentage but teams have been willing to attack him thus far. Next week the Marlins face the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres. The Diamondbacks have a few part-time players with speed to add, Cooper Hummel, Geraldo Perdomo, and even Nick Ahmed have speed and could be available on waivers. As for the Padres, CJ Abrams and Ha-Seong Kim are likely owned but if not are targets. A name to watch here is Jose Azocar. He is not starting every day but usually enters as a defensive replacement. He swiped 30 bags in the minors in 2021 and while it is tough to start him if there’s an injury to one of their OFs he could become a popular fantasy add.
