The 2023 MLB season will be a completely new landscape for stolen bases.
This season, in addition to limiting the shift and enforcing a pitch clock, the size of regulation bases will be increased from 15 square inches to 18 square inches.
In addition, pitchers will be limited to two “disengagements" per plate appearance. This means that the pitcher is only allowed to make a pickoff attempt, fake a pickoff, or step off the rubber twice during a hitter’s at-bat.
Obviously, these new MLB rules should benefit a baserunners ability to advance in many ways, leading to a jump in stolen bases (theoretically).
In 2022, Jon Berti led the majors in stolen bases (41) despite being limited to 404 plate appearances.
Take a look at our updated 2023 MLB Stolen Base Leader odds and best bets.
MLB Stolen Base Leader Odds 2023
MLB Stolen Base Leader betting odds are current from Caesars Sportsbook as of Saturday, March 4.
- Ronald Acuña Jr., Braves (+400)
- Cedric Mullins, Orioles (+500)
- Adalberto Mondesí, Red Sox (+600)
- Esteury Ruiz, Athletics (+800)
- Bobby Witt Jr., Royals (+1200)
- Jon Berti, Marlins (+1400)
- Jake McCarthy, Diamondbacks (+1400)
- Tommy Edman, Cardinals (+1400)
- Julio Rodríguez, Mariners (+1800)
- Randy Arozarena, Rays (+1800)
- Trea Turner, Phillies (+2000)
- Jazz Chisholm Jr., Marlins (+2500)
- Corbin Carroll, Diamondbacks (+2500)
- Michael Harris, Braves (+2800)
- Jorge Mateo, Orioles (+3000)
- Starling Marte, Mets (+3500)
- Nico Hoerner, Cubs (+4000)
- Oneil Cruz, Pirates (+4000)
- Myles Straw, Guardians (+4000)
The field is wide open to lead the league in stolen bases, with solid candidates ranging from short to long odds.
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MLB Stolen BaseLeader Best Bet 2023
Esteury Ruiz, Athletics (+800) | Caesars Sportsbook
The Athletics acquired Ruiz from the Brewers this offseason as part of the three-team deal that sent Sean Murphy to Atlanta.
The good news for Ruiz is that there is plenty of opportunity for playing time with Oakland.
Last season, the speedster swiped 85 stolen bases (99 attempts) over 114 games at the minor-league level and could light the league on fire if he is able to reach base on a consistent basis.
MLB Stolen Base Leader Contenders 2023
Ronald Acuña Jr., Braves (+400) | Caesars Sportsbook
Acuña swiped 29 bases last year in only 119 games. This is even more impressive when you consider that the Braves outfielder had a late start in 2022 after missing time due to ACL reconstruction surgery.
The 25-year-old collected two stolen bases in his very first game back from the injured list and attempted 40 stolen bases last year (six fewer than the league leader).
Acuña should be at full strength for the 2023 campaign and is a legitimate threat to lead the league in steals.
Cedric Mullins, Orioles (+500) | Caesars Sportsbook
Mullins finished third in the majors last season for stolen bases (34) after stealing 30 in 2021.
The Orioles star is once again expected to hit at the top of an underrated Baltimore lineup, and the larger bases could help clean up some of his issues with caught stealing (10).
See the latest MLB futures odds and picks
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MLB Stolen Base Leader Sleeper 2023
Jake McCarthy, Diamondbacks (+1400) | Caesars Sportsbook
McCarthy posted 23 stolen bases during his rookie year, with 10 of those coming in the month of September alone.
Look for the Arizona outfielder to keep running in 2023 for a Diamondbacks team that attempted the sixth-most stolen base attempts in the majors last season.
Corbin Carroll, Diamondbacks (+2500) | Caesars Sportsbook
Do not concern yourself with the fact that Carroll swiped just two bases after being promoted in 2022.
Why? Because the Diamondbacks’ top prospect holds a 30.7 ft/sec sprint speed, which makes him the fastest player in all of baseball.
Granted, speed does not guarantee stolen bases. Just ask Amed Rosario.
However, Carroll collected 52 bags in 142 minor league games and is more than capable of doing so at an elite level in the major leagues.
