We all have those recurring dreams—familiar places, familiar struggles. Psychologists say it’s our brain’s way of working through unresolved experiences. Mine? I’m on a baseball field, trying to run but moving like I’ve got cinderblocks strapped to my feet. As a kid who struggled with his weight, it’s no mystery why that stuck. Baseball was a big part of my life, and so were the insecurities.
Even now, I still get those dreams occasionally, though I’m in better shape. The symbolism lingers, but now there’s something oddly fun about reliving baseball—even in dream form.
Thankfully, the Atlanta Braves aren’t stuck in molasses like I was in those dreams. But how are they doing when it comes to stealing bases?
Since MLB changed the pickoff rules in 2023 (only two attempts per batter), the stolen base numbers have exploded. That year saw 3,503 steals league-wide. In 2024, it climbed to 3,617. This year, the pace is even hotter—on track for nearly 3,915 stolen bases.
But Atlanta’s not exactly riding that wave. They currently sit 22nd in MLB with 23 steals and a rate of 0.64 per game—an improvement from last year’s 28th-place finish, but still far off their 2023 pace when they ranked 10th with 132 steals. That year, the Braves averaged 0.81 steals per game—the same rate as the entire league is pacing for now.
The biggest reason for the drop? Ronald Acuña Jr. He missed most of 2024 and hasn’t played in 2025. When he returns, it’s unclear how aggressive he’ll be on the bases—or how aggressive Atlanta will let him be.
But is the lack of steals a problem? Not necessarily.
Stolen bases don’t tell the whole baserunning story. FanGraphs’ BsR metric, which also factors in taking extra bases and avoiding baserunning blunders, paints a fuller picture. In 2023, the Braves ranked 6th in BsR. In 2024, they dropped to 25th. But this year? They’ve rebounded to 11th, even without Acuña.
The takeaway: the Braves don’t need to lead the league in steals to be effective on the bases—but they do need to stay sharp and opportunistic. With guys like Nick Allen and Eli White chipping in, and Acuña’s return looming, Atlanta has a chance to avoid the baserunning nightmares of 2024—and maybe even run their way back into elite form.
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