MLB futures: Stolen base race could be wide open this season

This is yet another category where Atlanta OF Ronald Acuna Jr. led last year. His 73 swipes were the most for a league leader since 2007, when Jose Reyes swiped 78. It was also the second time that Acuna Jr. has led the league and repeat winners in this category are definitely common.

Last year with all of the rule changes we saw an increase in steals overall and I love it. It just makes the game so much more fun. It also opens up teams to different styles of play too. Also, if you are looking closely you will see that Acuna did not win by much. There could be a great stolen base race this season.

MLB Stolen Base Leader Futures

Esteury Ruiz, Oakland A's +250

Ruiz led the American League last season with 67 swipes. That was in just 132 games too, meaning he might have easily bested Acuna had they played the same number of games. He is nowhere near the offensive threat that Acuna is overall, but at the same time, in that Oakland lineup there is no reason for him not to go every time he is on first or second. He is not an on-base machine but there is enough there. 

Corbin Carroll, Arizona Diamondbacks +700

Caroll is one of the fastest players in the league and even though he is a five-tool guy, he has shown he is more than willing to show off his wheels. He had 54 steals last season and was caught just five times, the best success rate of the top base stealers last season. Given his age there is no reason to expect his production to dip and as the leadoff hitter for Arizona his opportunities will be significant. 

CJ Abrams, Washington +800

Abrams definitely put his speed on display in his first full season in the majors last season. He was acquired from San Diego in the Juan Soto trade, and last year he swiped 47 bases for a bad Washington team. The Nationals are going to be bad again which is good for Abrams' numbers. Their best offense is getting him on base and encouraging him to create havoc on the base paths He had just a .300 OBP last season which has lots of room for growth and more steals. 

Nico Hoerner, Chicago Cubs +4000

Hoerner does not get a lot of attention, even though he plays for the Cubs. Last year, Hoerner was just behind Abrams in terms of steals, but he has proven to be a classic table-setter, a player who gets on base and is capable of helping manufacture runs. I am encouraged by his increase in walk rate last season too. If that continues as he reaches his prime this season I can see him going from the 40s in steals to the 60s. 

Jose Caballero, Tampa Bay Rays +5000

Wander Franco was supposed to be the SS for the Rays for the next decade. That future is definitely in doubt at this moment, and that opens up a lot more playing time for Caballero. Speed is his best asset and since Tampa values defense he might get a lot more playing time than his batting average might deserve. He stole 26 bases last season even though he had less than 300 at-bats. His playing time might not be as certain as the rest of this group but there is a lot of upside there.