Detroit Tigers’ Javier Báez builds on stolen-base streak while gaining momentum on offense

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Not only is Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Báez heating up on offense over the past week, he continues to provide elite defense and a perfect record on the basepaths.

The 31-year-old has five stolen bases in five attempts this season.

Even better, Báez has 18 consecutive steals without getting caught, dating back to the tail end of the 2022 season.

“His instincts are incredible,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “He picks up cues really early. He does study the guys. And he’s fearless. That combo will make him take maybe a few more chances than others, but he’s not unprepared. I think he has unique baseball acumen in general, and it comes out in instinctual plays.”

The streak dates back to a third-inning steal Sept. 16, 2022, against the Chicago White Sox. Báez, now in his third of six seasons with the Tigers, owns the franchise’s second-longest streak since 2012.

On Opening Day, Báez was asked if he wants to steal more bases in 2024.

“I want to,” Báez said, “as long as I feel good and healthy, but you can’t steal first. You got to get to first. I mean, I stole first once.”

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As a team, the Tigers have stolen 12 bases in 12 attempts this season.

But that’s well behind several other franchises this season.

The Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals are tied atop the stolen-base leaderboard with 38. Two American League Central teams are in the top 10: the Kansas City Royals, with 22, and the Cleveland Guardians, with 19 steals. The Tigers, through, rank 19th in stolen bases.

“Base stealing in general has gone up through the roof with the pitch clock,” Hinch said, “and the evolution of best pitches, best shapes. We’re focused so much on the pitcher and what he’s throwing to the hitter. Over the years, the attention paid to base runners has diminished. My trust is all based on whether or not you’re prepared and whether or not your first step is good and you go at the right time with the combination pitcher-catcher, situation of the game.”

Báez needs four more steals in a row to pass outfielder Quintin Berry’s streak of 21 in a row, the longest streak by a Tiger since 2012. Berry racked up those steals from May 25-Sept. 16, 2012; that season, he hit .258 with a .330 OBP in 94 games.

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Beyond stolen bases, Báez has been steady for the Tigers on defense. He is already worth plus-2 defensive runs saved in 2024. He has fixed his throwing accuracy when fielding routine ground balls, all while making the spectacular plays.

He is consistent on defense.

And finally, Báez is starting to heat up on offense.

“I’m making adjustments,” Báez said after Thursday’s 9-7 win over the Texas Rangers. “I don’t know what to say. I’m just trying to do my timing and my swing, and if I do my timing and my swing and my plan, and I trust it, I just got to see the ball. It doesn’t matter who’s on the mound.”

In eight games since April 14, Báez is hitting .280 with three doubles, one home run, two walks and four strikeouts, spanning 27 plate appearances. He swung at 49.2% of pitches outside the strike zone in those eight games, an improvement from 51.6% in his first 11 games.

Chasing fewer pitches has resulted in more fastballs.

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And Báez’s swing as of recently has been on time for fastballs, which rarely happened last season.

“That’s what I mean about the plan,” Báez said. “I got a plan, the other team got a plan and the pitcher got a plan. Everything has got to match, and hopefully, it goes the way we want it.”

The improved production on offense is a small sample size, but what Báez has accomplished on the bases is nearly two years in the making. He had the 11th multi-steal game of his career in Sunday’s 6-1 win over the Minnesota Twins.

Báez is a veteran, but he still has above-average sprint speed and elite instincts.

“He’s just a good all-around baseball player,” Hinch said, “and I think that has been an underrated part of his impact throughout his whole career, not just the last couple of years with us, but dating back to the younger days.”

Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.

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