(670 The Score) As part of the new rules brought in to Major League Baseball, there was a hope to find a significant increase in stolen bases.
Pitchers are now restricted to two pickoff attempts per plate appearance and the bases were increased to 18 square inches instead of the traditional 15 mark of the past. Cubs left fielder Ian Happ stole his first base of the 2023 season during the team's 3-2 win over the Mariners, and he came to realize it can happen much more.
Happ told the Bernstein & Holmes Show on Tuesday that stealing his first base of the season opened his eyes to the newfound ease within these rules.
"I think there's a learning curve to that confidence of when you can run," Happ said. "There's definitely certain catchers or certain situations. It really did feel like there are times where I had to, like, have an absurd jump or have to have a real tip on a pitcher to take a chance to steal a base. I think getting to a place where you can get 12- or 13-foot leads because you feel like there's less likelihood the guy is going to pick over, having that one extra foot on the lead and then those extra inches from the bases, those things all matter. Being able to take advantage of that stuff.
"You see some of the guys in the minor leagues that have stolen so many bases over the last year or so, they just run all the time. As somebody who is just getting used to these rules, it's like, 'Oh, yeah, I mean, I can not get my best jump and still be safe.' Nico (Hoerner) has done a great job of taking bags and I'm trying to feed off that and have the confidence to do it."
Last season, the minor leagues saw a 26% increase in stolen bases from 2019 during a test period of the rules now implemented in the majors. Guardians outfielder Myles Straw leads the league with six stolen bases in 11 games.
In 2022, Marlins super-utility player Jon Berti led the majors with just 41 stolen bases. That leading figure is expected to be much higher this season.
The Cubs host the Mariners on Tuesday night at Wrigley Field. First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m. CT.
Listen live to 670 The Score via:
Audacy App | Online Stream | Smart Speaker
