Base stealers feasted on new MLB rules on Opening Day

The stolen base is set to make a big comeback in baseball this year because of the new rules that limit pickoff attempts, as well as the larger bases that should increase success rates. 

Based on what we saw on Opening Day, it could be a huge year for any player with speed on the base paths.

Across the league on Thursday there were 21 stolen bases, with only two players actually caught stealing. 

That is a 91 percent success rate for base stealers. The league average a year ago was around 75 percent. 

It is important to note this is just a one-day sampling and it is an extremely long season. That success rate will almost certainly come down at some point. But keep in mind that on Opening Day a year ago there were only five successful stolen bases across the entire league. 

It was also obvious on Thursday that players were using the new rules to their advantage.

Take, for example, Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. who seemed downright giddy when the Washington Nationals attempted a second pickoff attempt of him at first base, reaching their "disengagement" limit for that at-bat. He signals the number "two" to the dugout, then points to second base.

He then easily stole second base on the next pitch.