Sports

MLB Steals Per Game Highest Since 1987

James Boutros Sports Editor

Published03 May 2025

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The MLB season is in high gear as the season is a month in.

This MLB season has seen the highest steals per game since 1987.

Here is a breakdown of the last five years of steals per game:

2021: 0.46 steals per game
2022: 0.51 steals per game
2023: 0.72 steals per game
2024: 0.74 steals per game
2025: 0.81 steals per game

There are a lot of reasons why there is a significant jump from 2022 to 2023 in steals per game.

MLB Steals Per Game Highest Since 1987

This MLB season has seen a lot of action on the bases during the first month of the season.

The 2025 MLB season has seen the highest steals per game since 1987.

Rule Changes Implemented In 2023

The biggest reason why steals per game skyrocketed in 2023 is that the MLB changed the rules.

- Bigger Bases: The MLB increased the size of the bags from 15 inches to 18 inches. This shortened the distance between bases and reduced the risk of injury. Both of these changes have encouraged players to be more aggressive
- Pickoff Limits: MLB pitchers are now limited to two pickoff attempts per plate appearance. The third attempt must result in an out, or the baserunner advances. This has made it easier for base runners to attempt to steal
- Pitch Clock: With pitchers more focused on the clock, the base runners can get a better jump and steal more bases

Analytics

MLB teams are using analytics far more now than before. They have noticed stolen bases are more efficient than a decade ago. The success rate of stealing bases is up big, so teams are running far more often than they ever have.

Roster Construction

MLB teams are putting more weight on speed and athleticism. There are simply better athletes in the MLB now than before, and they are running far more than before.

Should We Expect Steals To Remain High?

The simple answer is yes. With all the rule changes and the MLB wanting more action on the bases, MLB teams will continue to steal bases at a high level.

Analytics has been a huge reason why teams are stealing more.

The MLB players are simply better athletes now, and they are emphasizing stealing bases.

This is a trend that will continue to occur.

More Stolen Bases Have Not Resulted In More Runs

Even though the 2025 MLB season has seen more steals per game since 1987, runs per game are the second-lowest in the last decade.

Runs per game 2016 – 2025:

- - 2016: 4.48 runs per game
  - 2017: 4.65 runs per game
  - 2018: 4.45 runs per game
  - 2019: 4.83 runs per game
  - 2020: 4.65 runs per game
  - 2021: 4.53 runs per game
  - 2022: 4.28 runs per game
  - 2023: 4.62 runs per game
  - 2024: 4.39 runs per game
  - 2025: 4.34 runs per game

It is interesting to see that despite 2024 and 2025 seeing high steals per game, it has not resulted in higher runs per game.

Home Runs Per Game Lowest Since 2015

With teams playing more small ball, the 2025 season has seen the lowest home runs per game since 2015.

- - 2015: 1.01 home runs per game
  - 2016: 1.16 home runs per game
  - 2017: 1.26 home runs per game
  - 2018: 1.15 home runs per game
  - 2019: 1.39 home runs per game
  - 2020: 1.28 home runs per game
  - 2021: 1.22 home runs per game
  - 2022: 1.07 home runs per game
  - 2023: 1.21 home runs per game
  - 2024: 1.12 home runs per game
  - 2025: 1.06 home runs per game