SAGNOF: Keaschall Be Back

Welcome back to another edition of stolen base strategy here at Razzball. I took last week off as I do periodically throughout the summer when life gets busy between kids sports, work, and travel things can get hectic.

If you read my articles in the pre-season and drafted Jose Caballero, Maikel Garcia, and Byron Buxton along with your regular early round draft picks, you’d already be dominating the steals category. If you didn’t, it is certainly possible that the pending return of this article’s featured player can help you pick up some points in stolen bases.

Let’s talk a little Luke Keaschall. Here’s a guy that was 94th ranked as a prospect and had a big breakthrough in the minors in 2024, where he slashed .303/.420/.483. That line came with 15 homers and 23 stolen bases. He has an elite batting eye with a walk rate above 12% at every level. Last season was cut short for him in a decision with the organization to get his UCL fixed, which he had been playing through since being drafted. Having accomplished what they wanted from him at AA, getting it done in August allowed for him to have a normal recovery as a batter and start fresh here in 2025.

He started this season at AAA and very quickly found himself on the major league roster, where in a small sample size he showed his talent at getting on base and then advancing via the steal. In just 26 plate appearances, he stole five bases for the Twins. His debut was brief, however, as after just seven MLB games, he was struck on the forearm by a Kyle Hendricks sinker, breaking his arm, which has sidelined him since April 26th. Keaschall was transferred to the 60 day IL in May and should be due to return to action later this week or early next week if there haven’t been any setbacks. That being said, other than him taking some grounders at second base, there hasn’t been much news on an estimated return date.

If I am looking for some steals, I would keep an eye on his activation status going forward, but his playing time could be limited upon comeback, as somehow Byron Buxton is still healthy along with most of the Twins roster – Royce Lewis excluded, of course.

Here’s the current Stolen Base Leader Board through Sunday, June 22nd

The Speed Dials

We went 0 for 2 last week, now 6 for 26 on the season. Remember, these are specific stolen base streaming targets for specific days where the player is owned in less than 50% of ESPN leagues. All stats represent both the 2024 and 2025 seasons combined.

Guardians Vs Blue Jays – Tuesday June 24th

Lane Thomas – He has seemingly come back from the dead… well, at least according to his spot in the batting order. He is still hitting just .151 with an almost 31% K-rate, but he gets a lefty Eric Lauer here, and although it may be harder to steal, it should give him a better chance to get on base and at least have a chance to swipe a base. His sprint speed is at 29.2 Ft/Sec so he is in rare company if he can get in the right situation. Lauer has a .113 SB/IP in limited action over the last two seasons. The Blue Jays catchers, Alejandro Kirk and Tyler Heineman are both in the top 10 when it comes to throwing out runners.

Tigers vs Athletics – Wednesday June 25th

Zach McKinstry – Another Speed dial vs a lefty. This lefty, Jacob Lopez, can’t hold runners. He’s allowing a .237 SB/IP and 100 % success rate against since joining the league. McKinstry has a 28.2 Ft/Sec sprint speed. A’s catchers are both middle of the pack in cutting down runners, with Austin Wynns currently seeing the most action.

Royals vs Rays – Thursday June 26th 

Chandler Simpson – This was originally Tyler Fitzgerald, but he got sent down, and look, Simpson is back up. In active leagues, he won’t be available, but there’s a good chance he is.

Brewers vs Rockies – Friday June 27th

Sal Frelick – The Crew welcomes the Rockies and what looks to be, at this point, German Marquez on the bump to Brew City on Friday. Marquez has allowed 16 stolen bases already this season. Frelick is 32 for 37 the last two seasons with a 28.8 Ft/Sec Sprint speed. Hunter Goodman and Braxton Fulford are both in the bottom half of the catcher throwing leaderboard.

That’s all, folks. Any other questions, hit me up here on or on Twitter @TheGreatKnoche