Monday, April 07

Isiah Kiner-Falefa knew he had an extra gear, and he was determined to find it again.

The Pirates’ shortstop had been effective on the basepaths in the past, stealing at least 20 bags in 2021 and ‘22, but he didn’t do much running the following two seasons. He was worth a combined 6.3 baserunning runs in ‘21 and ‘22, according to FanGraphs, but he followed it up by being worth 0 runs with the Yankees in ‘23 and only 0.2 runs in 83 games with the Blue Jays in '24. 

If you want to keep the stats old school, he had just three steals with Toronto before being traded to the Pirates at the Deadline.

“That’s usually my game for the whole season,” Kiner-Falefa said about swiping bags. “I just wasn’t able to run in the first half of Toronto last year, because I just didn’t feel like I was fast enough.”

Kiner-Falefa knew he needed to get quicker, especially since the Pirates were projecting him to be their starting shortstop. His solution was to do more track and field drills this offseason, training with collegiate players who were getting ready for the NFL Combine. He may not be able to keep up with the defensive backs and the wide receivers now that he’s 30 years old, but the linebackers? He did just fine running with them.

“There’s not many better guys to run with,” Kiner-Falefa said. “Seeing them run and jumping in there and try to keep up, I just wanted to get my explosiveness back, and I think, so far, it’s been good.”

The results speak for themselves thus far. Kiner-Falefa has been the Pirates’ best hitter on the young season, batting .333 (6-for-18), and he’s also been one of the top basestealers in MLB. After swiping just three bases in over half a season with the Blue Jays, he’s already 4-for-4 in stolen-base attempts this season. Among the 30 Major League teams, 13 have fewer steals as a collective than him.

Kiner-Falefa and Oneil Cruz have been the top two threats in what has been the most aggressive baserunning team in the early part of the season. Through five games, Cruz and Kiner-Falefa had combined for nine stolen bases and 10 walks (Kiner-Falefa had four of each). According to OptaStats, they are the first pair of teammates to reach that stolen base and walk total over the first five games of a season.

It’s not just that duo. The Pirates’ 17 stolen bases are the most in baseball, with seven players taking at least one bag. Baserunning was such a big part of Pittsburgh's game plan in early 2023, but it was downplayed once MLB counterpunched. Last year, the Bucs were efficient when they tried to steal a base (84.8% success rate), but they finished with a below-average 106 steals.

This year, they’re being much more aggressive again. Manager Derek Shelton wouldn’t describe it as the “wild wild west” where anything goes, but they want to push the envelope when the situation calls for it. It could be what this offense will be best known for, and Kiner-Falefa is leading the charge.

“I think it’s everything,” Kiner-Falefa said. “We have a couple guys who can really slug. Besides them, everybody’s got to do their part and do the little things. Bunting, hit and run, stealing bases.”

Those extra steals haven’t translated to many runs early for the Pirates, but they should eventually come if they continue to create those opportunities. Kiner-Falefa has been the team’s No. 9 hitter every game this season, a position that is basically a second leadoff hitter for each subsequent trip through the lineup. The top of the order comes up whenever he is on the base, so if he can keep collecting steals, it could yield good things.

“I think the aggressiveness, if we can just keep pounding it in, hopefully we can keep building and start pouring it on and keep putting pressure,” Kiner-Falefa said.

Since caught stealing became an official statistic in 1951, which Pirate has the highest career stolen-base percentage (minimum 50 SBs)?

A. Tony Womack

B. Omar Moreno

C. Andy Van Slyke

D. Gregory Polanco

Paul Skenes is partnering with the Gary Sinise Foundation for a second year to raise money for veterans and first responders. The Pirates’ stud pitcher is pledging $100 per strikeout this year as part of a drive that has a goal of $100,000.

“I’m basically trying to give back to that community as much as possible,” Skenes said. “That’s something I told myself when I left [the Air Force Academy], and now we’re taking some actions to do that.”

Skenes is also offering a meet and greet during batting practice and tickets to a game to whoever makes the most sizable donation (or the top two if it’s a tie) to the drive before the Bucs’ home opener against the Yankees on Friday.

Those who would like to donate can do so here.

Baseball is returning to the banks of the Allegheny River on Friday when the Pirates take on the Yankees in the Opening Series. They’ll then host the Cardinals in a three-game set starting on Monday.

Tickets are still available for Friday’s home opener, and can be found here.

A. Womack

Womack led the National League in stolen bases in 1997 and ‘98 with the Pirates, and he was incredibly efficient in the process. Womack swiped 122 bases in his five seasons with Pittsburgh, while sporting an 89.1% stolen-base percentage.

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