SAGNOF: Deep League Steals

We’re eight good sleeps away from the real Opening Day. I know the games count in South Korea this week, but If you think of that as Opening Day you’re crazy. This means that next week I will begin to focus on strategy for the upcoming MLB week and players to target that might be on waivers for steals.

So this is it, the final Draft Prep SAGNOF article. So far for stolen base draft prep we’ve discussed a few different topics. We started with what to do if you miss on steals early in the draft. Secondly we looked at dual category guys that can help you out. Next, it was a look at coaching situations and who might be helped or hurt by managerial changes. Then last week we focused on players who have moved teams that may be able to increase their output in 2024.

In our final draft prep installment I am going to pull some names out for those deep league players. AL/NL Only guys or NFBC Draft Champions targets that could help you win pull some points in the steals category. These will all be guys getting drafted at over #500 at NFBC since Feb 1.

(Editor’s Note: The Razzball Commenter Leagues are not deep, but they are fun!  The final league with openings had two spots left.  It’s a $20 league drafting this coming Saturday night, March 23rd at 9 ET.  You’ll be trying to take MarmosDad’s money, click here to JOIN!)

Travis Jankowski, OF – Texas Rangers

While it seems Evan Carter and Wyatt Langford will get the majority of At-bats in Left Field and at DH we should see Jankowski fill in at CF some for Leody Tavaras and should there be an injury he is most likely to get some At-bats. He will also be the primary pinch-running option with his 56th overall sprint speed in MLB in 2023 carrying him to steals. I’d expect him to garner somewhere between 10-20 bags with a chance for more if an injury occurs in Texas.

Corey Julks, OF – Houston Astros

I don’t see a path to as many at-bats as he had in 2023, but Julks should still prove a viable source of steals in AL-Only leagues as a late round option. He is having a solid spring training so if Jake Meyers struggles at all we could see more of a time-share emerge in Center Field in Houston. I see him coming up with somewhere around 15 stolen bases in 2024.

Vidal Brujan, OF – Miami Marlins

Brujan does not have elite sprint speed as he actually falls a little below MLB average, and he also gets caught stealing way too often. Having said that joining a Marlins team that likes to run should offer him chances to get some steals. Biggest concern here is playing time as they have three super utility guys on the bench in Miami. Look for 10-15 steals if he can improve his success rate.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa, IF/OF – Toronto Blue Jays

IKF looks to be slotted into the starting 3B job in Toronto hitting near the bottom of the order. He has above average sprint speed and is 56 for 70 in steals the last three seasons. It is possible Joey Votto makes the roster and pushes into some of his at-bats, but I still like him to garner 15+ bags.

Miles Mastrobuoni, IF/OF – Chicago Cubs

It looks like Mastrobuoni will start the season in Chicago with Madrigal still hurt. He has top tier sprint speed as well at 28.6Ft/ Second. He’s already stolen 3 bases this spring in 37 plate appearances and should have the green light every time he is on the bases after going 49 for 54 on the base paths the last two seasons across MLB and AAA. He could find his way to 20+ steals in 2024.

Jacob Young, OF – Washington Nationals

Young is tied for 8th in MLB in sprint speed. The Free Agent signings in Washington hurt his of making the opening day roster. He improved at the plate and performed well at three different levels in the minors and was at least serviceable in his cup of coffee in MLB last year. When you steal 52 bases in a season at some point you’re going to push yourself onto the field. Look for him to start in the minors and play his way into the lineup at some point in 2024. He’ll be swiping 20 bases before the year is over.