Shots Across the Bow: More than just speed

Friday, 22 February 2013 20:42

Written by Bill Brink

BRADENTON, Fla. -- In today's Post-Gazette: The mental side of stolen bases.

Andrew McCutchen knows he's fast enough to steal, but he needs more than speed alone. He watches tape of other good base stealers, but not necessarily of the fastest people. He watches the people who don't have speed like he does.

"It has to be perfect for them to go," McCutchen said. "I like to watch people who aren't necessarily fast."

The idea behind that focus is to learn how players without elite speed steal bases. They must time the pitcher, take a good lead and run on the right counts in the right situations. If McCutchen can enhance those skills in addition to his speed, he can be dangerous and avoid the long spells without a steal like he had in 2012.

It's not just McCutchen. Starling Marte will steal bases too. Alex Presley's speed allows him to steal aggressively.

"I think it all starts at the bag," Presley said. "Leads, get what you can.

"Speed's not an issue. It's a matter of where you are."