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The fastest players in MLB

The new MLB rules adopted in 2023 placed more importance on speed, and these 25 speedsters certainly took advantage. Here's a look at the 25 fastest players from the 2023 season, according to Statcast sprint speed.

1 of 25

1. Elly De La Cruz, SS, Reds

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De La Cruz flashed out of this world talent in his rookie season, hitting 13 home runs and swiping 35 bases in only 98 games. He was also the game's fastest runner, averaging 30.5 feet per second.

2 of 25

2. Bobby Witt Jr., SS, Royals

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Witt went 30/30 in his sophomore season, and also finished 2023 with a league-high 11 triples. The speedy shortstop ranked just behind Elly De La Cruz at 30.5 feet per second sprint speed.

3 of 25

3. Bubba Thompson, OF, Free Agent

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Thompson's elite speed wasn't enough to maintain a roster spot with the world champs, but he's an attractive bench player because of his speed. He's stolen 22 bases in 92 career games and stole 49 bases in 80 games at Triple-A in 2022.

4 of 25

4. Dairon Blanco, OF, Royals

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Blanco flashed with the Royals late last season, stealing 24 bases in only 69 games. The Cuban outfielder averaged 30.3 feet per second sprint speed.

5 of 25

5. Trea Turner, SS, Phillies

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Turner is now 30, but he's barely slowed down. The Phillies superstar had 30 steals and was never caught on the basepaths, and averaged 30.3 feet per second sprint speed.

6 of 25

6. Tyler Fitzgerald, UT, Giants

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Fitzgerald got a taste of the majors with the Giants late last season, swiping two bases in five games after stealing 32 bases between Double- and Triple-A. He has the power and speed to be a difference maker.

7 of 25

7. Corbin Carroll, OF, Diamondbacks

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Carroll easily won NL Rookie of the year after hitting 25 home runs and swiping 54 bags. He also led the NL with 10 triples. The speedster averaged 30.1 feet per second sprinting.

8 of 25

8. Jorge Mateo, SS, Orioles

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Mateo led the AL with 35 stolen bases in 2022 and added 32 steals in only 116 games for the O's last year. He averaged 30.1 feet per second sprint speed.

9 of 25

9. Blake Perkins, OF, Brewers

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Perkins was a fine bench player for the Brew Crew last season, contributing five steals and strong defense late in the year. He stole 50 bases in 101 games in 2022 as a Yankees farmhand.

10 of 25

10. Jordan Lawlar, SS, Diamondbacks

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Arizona's top prospect, Lawlar only played 14 games last season but did have a chance to show off his elite speed at 30.0 feet per second. He stole 36 bases in 105 games prior to his call-up.

11 of 25

11. Jacob Young, OF, Nationals

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Young profiles as a fine bench player, and stole 13 bases in only 33 games with the Nats last season after stealing 39 bases in the minors.

12 of 25

12. Jake McCarthy, OF, Diamondbacks

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McCarthy struggled at the plate last season after a breakout 2022 season, but he still ran well. He had 26 steals in only 99 games for the D'Backs, averaging 29.9 feet per second.

13 of 25

13. Brenton Doyle, CF, Rockies

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While Doyle struggled at the plate last season, he was an elite defensive center fielder for the Rox. He stole 22 bases in 126 games despite hitting only .203, averaging 29.9 feet per second.

14 of 25

14. Garrett Hampson, UT, Royals

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A speedy utilityman for his career with the Rockies and Marlins, Hampson signed with Kansas City during the offseason. He swiped only five bases last season for Miami but was still one of the game's fastest runners, averaging 29.8 feet per second.

15 of 25

15. Jose Siri, CF, Rays

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Siri had a strong year as Tampa Bay's regular center fielder, hitting 25 home runs and stealing 12 bases. He was also swift in center field as one of the league's fastest runners.

16 of 25

16. Jonny DeLuca, OF, Rays

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DeLuca made his debut with the Dodgers last season, seeing only 45 plate appearances in 24 games. However, he was a prominent part of the Tyler Glasnow trade with the Rays this offseason, and will look to spark Tampa Bay this season with his elite speed.

17 of 25

17. Jose Azocar, OF, Padres

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Primarily a bench player for the Padres, Azocar had eight steals in 55 games last season. He averaged 29.7 feet per second sprint speed.

18 of 25

18. Ji Hwan Bae, UT, Pirates

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Bae flashed for Pittsburgh as a second baseman and outfielder last season. He had 24 steals in 111 games, averaging 29.7 feet per second sprinting.

19 of 25

19. Derek Hill, OF, Nationals

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Hill has seen parts of four seasons in the majors, including 13 games with the Nats last season. He has only 10 steals in 108 career games but is still among the league's fastest runners.

20 of 25

20. Esteury Ruiz, CF, Athletics

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While Ruiz struggled to hit in his official rookie season, he led the AL with 67 stolen bases. He showed off elite speed, averaging 29.7 feet per second.

21 of 25

21. Nate Eaton, OF, Royals

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Eaton struggled to stick in the majors last season, playing only 28 games. However, he did show elite speed and had 22 stolen bases in 85 games at Triple-A.

22 of 25

22. Evan Carter, OF, Rangers

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Carter provided a huge boost for the Rangers lineup late last season and into the playoffs. He had six stolen bases in 40 games between the regular season and playoffs after stealing 26 bases in the minors.

23 of 25

23. Julio Rodriguez, CF, Mariners

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J-Rod is one of the league's true superstars, already winning AL Rookie of the Year and two Silver Sluggers in two seasons. He had a career-high 37 steals last season, averaging 29.6 feet per second of sprint speed.

24 of 25

24. Johan Rojas, OF, Phillies

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Rojas was a surprise contributor in his rookie season for Philadelphia, helping offensively while playing an excellent center field. He had 14 steals in 59 games and averaged 29.5 feet per second.

25 of 25

25. Jarren Duran, OF, Red Sox

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Duran had a breakout season in 2023 before a season-ending toe injury. He stole 24 bases in 102 games prior to his season ending.

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