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 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
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.
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