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Red Sox Rankings: Top base stealers

By Michele Pettis

May 1, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts (50) slides safely into third base during the second inning against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
May 1, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts (50) slides safely into third base during the second inning against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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A ranking of the top base runners in the majors has to include Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts.

Mar 5, 2016; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) bats during the fifth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Osceola County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2016; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) bats during the fifth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Osceola County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Everyone loves getting something for nothing. Baseball is no exception. If you can get a free base why not go for it? The Boston Red Sox aren’t typically known for swiping bases, but so far this year they seem to be fond of stealing. Therefore the top-10 base stealers in the majors has to include Boston’s Mookie Betts. Here’s a run down on the top thieves in the major leagues.

Jose Altuve
Houston Astros, 2B
10 steals

Altuve has the most stolen bases in all of Major League Baseball. This should not be much of a surprise, considering Houston’s 25 year-old second baseman swiped a league-leading 38 bases last year and 56 the season before that. The native of Venezuela is good at more that stealing bases. He has made three appearances at the All-Star Game in addition to winning Gold Gloves and two Silver Slugger awards. In his six seasons in the majors, all spent with Houston, he has a career batting average of .305 and a .767 OPS.

Altuve gives Pedroia a run for his money in the height department. Baseball-Reference.com lists Jose as being 5’6”. Altuve stole two bases from the Red Sox on April 24. The key to keeping Altuve from committing this crime during the upcoming series May 12-15? Keeping him off first base seems to be the only solution. In 19 plate appearances verses Clay Buchholz he only has a .158 batting average. He has never gotten a hit off of Carson Smith in seven chances. He has, however, a much better average (.286) against David Price. Let’s hope that Price can figure out how to keep this thief under control.

Next: Burns and Villar

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