Alcides Escobar
Kansas City Royals, SS
7 steals
Escobar is coming off a great season last year. In addition to his team winning the World Series, he himself won a Gold Glove and made his first All-Star Game appearance. The 29 year-old from Venezuela has a career batting average of .261 with a .640 OPS. He stole 17 bases last season and was caught in the act five times.
The Red Sox head to Kansas City May 16-18. Can they keep Escobar from stealing? It’s a possibility. He only has a .176 batting average verses Porcello. He has better luck against Buchholz, however. Escobar has racked up three hits in just ten plate appearances. The Sox will need to keep an eye on this speedy thief.
Next: Help on the way from Pawtucket?
Starling Marte
Pittsburgh Pirates, LF
7 steals
The 27 year-old native of the Dominican Republic has played all five of his seasons with the Pirates. He stole 30 bases last season and the season before that. He also earned a Gold Glove last season. Marte played an impressive 153 games and was only caught stealing 10 times. He has a career batting average of .285 with .790 OPS. The Red Sox won’t have to worry about Marte swiping any bases in the regular season this year because they don’t play the Pirates.