Stolen bases is a category that has become more prevalent in recent years due to rule changes that favor steals. More teams are willing to take risks on the base paths to enhance some run-producing chances with these new rules. With more teams running, you can make up a stolen base deficiency later in drafts.
Many players will be outfielders or middle infielders when looking for steals later in drafts. They will likely come with some other deficiency, be it power or batting average, so your team needs to be OK with those statistics if you draft these targets.
I have highlighted nine players with an average draft position (ADP) after pick 160 in 12-team leagues with 20+ stolen bases upside this season.
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Fantasy Baseball Sleepers to Target for Stolen Bases
Victor Robles (OF – SEA)
Victor Robles had a significant renaissance season last year, with 34 stolen bases over 91 games, 30 of which came in 77 games with the Mariners. Robles had many chances to steal bases thanks to his .301 batting average on the season and .328 with the Mariners. He is projected to lead off for the Mariners in 2025, which could lead to a massive number of steals if he continues to play well.
Robles had an on-base percentage (OBP) over .380 in the last two seasons, but projection sites have him with an OBP closer to .320, which would be quite a step back. With the dip in OBP, he’s still projected for 30+ steals, which seems like a floor for Robles. Another OBP closer to .380 could lead to a 40+ steal season for Robles, which would be a major win if you are looking for steals in the middle of your draft.
Tommy Edman (OF – LAD)
Tommy Edman had an injury-riddled 2024, where he only played 37 games and stole six bases. Over the previous three seasons, Edman stole 27, 32 and 30 bases. He’s healthy now and expected to be the primary center fielder for a dynamite offense with the Dodgers.
Projections have Edman back to playing around 130 games and stealing 25 bases. If healthy, Edman is a great steals source as he’ll add a little power, a decent batting average and should score plenty of runs.
Zack Gelof (2B – ATH)
Zack Gelof is in a tough fantasy spot. He brings a great 20/20 skillset but does not hit for average. Last season, Gelof hit .211 with 17 home runs and 25 stolen bases.
Things were better the previous season, hitting .267 with 14 home runs and 14 steals over 69 games. Gelof’s batting average dropped a ton due to striking out nearly 35% of the time.
Even with the bad batting average, Gelof did steal 25 bases, which is a plus. Projections have Gelof hitting closer to .230 with around 20 home runs and 20 steals. He’ll also play in a Minor League ballpark, which could help his offensive production.
If you are going to draft Gelof, make sure you have a strong batting average base. If you have that, he’s a great pick later in drafts for the power and, more importantly, the speed he’ll bring your fantasy team.
Garrett Mitchell (OF – MIL)
Injuries derailed the start of the 2024 season for Garrett Mitchell, resulting in only 69 games played with the Brewers. He hit .255 with eight home runs and 11 stolen bases over those 69 games. The 26-year-old will participate in his first full season with the Brewers as the expected primary centerfielder. A big fantasy season could happen if Mitchell plays enough and taps into his prospect upside.
Mitchell is projected for 20+ steals over 116 games. There’s a reality where he plays closer to 140 games, which could see Mitchell closer to 30 steals than 20, especially in the way the Brewers like to run. Mitchell is one of my favorite late-round outfielders to target for his upside.
Trevor Story (SS – BOS)
Trevor Story is healthy entering 2025. That’s big news as Story has not played over 100 games in a season since 2021. Story brings plenty of power and speed to a fantasy lineup with a hit to your batting average when healthy.
In 26 games last season, Story stole six bases. The Bat X has Story playing 113 games and stealing 19 bases. That’s a strong floor for a player when healthy should play 130-140 games. Story brings a lot of risk but makes for a nice middle infield target late in drafts with plenty of stolen base upside.
Jake McCarthy (OF – ARI)
Jake McCarthy is your prototypical rabbit when it comes to fantasy. He has hit .283 or better in two of the previous three seasons, with an OBP of .333 or better in three of four. He gets on base at a great clip, which bodes well for a base stealer.
McCarthy has stolen 23-26 bases in each of the last three seasons and looks to be locked into the starting center field role for the Diamondbacks. McCarthy brings a 20-steal floor with a 30-steal upside at the end of your drafts.
Jacob Young (OF – WAS)
Oh, look, another rabbit. Jacob Young hits around .255 with a .315 OBP — not elite but serviceable. He stole 33 bases last season after stealing 39 bases in the Minors in 2023. Young plays solid defense, which keeps him in the lineup, allowing him to run wild and likely steal another 30+ bases.
Jose Caballero (2B, SS, 3B – TB)
Jose Caballero may not play every day, but he is a super utility player for the Rays. In the event of an injury, he can get those daily at-bats that boost his stolen base upside.
Caballero stole 44 bases last season over 139 games for the Rays. He stole 26 bases over 104 games for the Mariners in 2023. Caballero should play at least 100 games, which means he brings a 20-steal floor with plenty of upside at his fantasy baseball ADP.
Victor Scott (OF – STL)
Many were excited for Victor Scott’s debut last season, but it was a significant learning curve. Despite the ups and downs, Scott stole 35 bases between Triple-A and the Cardinals. He stole a ridiculous 94 bases in the Minors in 2023.
Scott plays great defense, which may keep him in the Cardinals’ lineup. He could be a phenomenal source of steals late in drafts.
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