Reds getting away with theft on basepaths

MILWAUKEE – Entering Wednesday night's game with the Brewers, the Reds have attempted 16 stolen bases this season – and been successful every single time.

The Reds' 16 stolen bases entering the game were the most in the majors, and only one other team, the Mets, hadn't been caught stealing this season (in half as many steals - and attempts - as the Reds). Since the caught-stealing statistic started being kept in 1951, no Reds team has started with as many consecutive successful stolen-base attempts, and the last team in baseball to do it was the 2007 Twins, who started the season 19 for 19.

The Reds' aggression on the basepaths is a calculated choice, said Jay Bruce, who has two steals so far this season. Bruce said stealing is encouraged more under Bryan Price than it was under Dusty Baker – and not just for Billy Hamilton, but all around.

Hamilton, who leads the majors (entering Wednesday) with eight steals, is an anomaly when it comes running the bases: The Reds would probably like to look more toward the likes of Zack Cozart as an example of what they want to do.

Cozart didn't steal a base in 2013, but was 7-for-7 last season and then stole his first base on Tuesday night, a steal of third. Cozart has just 12 career stolen bases, but he's never been caught.

"I think I stole 30 bags in Triple-A at one point (in 2010), it's never once because I was a burner and taking off, I was (30-for-34) or something, it was only because I took what the pitcher was giving me," Cozart said." It's something if I saw a catcher's sign and it's a breaking ball or something. That's where I'm going to steal my bases. [Tuesday] they weren't holding me on real close, and (Brewers starter Mike) Fiers was kind of slow to the plate, so that's when we didn't get the bunt down, and I'm trying to get to third base."

The Reds ended up hitting a grand slam, so it's not like the steal proved a difference between Cozart scoring and not that time. But over 162 games, that could make a difference.

Cozart and many of his teammates are successful because they're prepared.

"I think (first base coach) Billy Hatcher's influential – we do a lot of research on our opponent, that certainly helps," Price said. "That's really how we make our decisions, because we're not necessarily a speed team beyond Billy."

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That research goes into things like not just how quick a pitcher is to the plate or a catcher's throw to second, but when pitchers like to throw over or when they slide step and even deeper. Reds baserunners are prepared to run and also emboldened to run. Cozart said in 2013 he couldn't run, even when he knew he could easily steal. Now, however, he and many other Reds can use their own instincts to go when they feel it's best.

"I think it's picking the right times. I think it's exploiting deficiencies in the other teams' control of the running game, picking the right time to go," Bruce said. "I think there's a big difference between being a base stealer and being able to steal bases."

That research and focus have even helped Hamilton become a better base stealer so far this season. He's less predictable about when he's going to attempt a steal and isn't always going on first attempt. Last season he was thrown out 23 times, the most in baseball. This offseason, he spent time with Hatcher and Louisville manager Delino DeShields to hone his craft – and in a way, be more like Cozart.

"I've got to pick my pitches, I feel like I've been doing that this year, not just out there running, no idea of pitchouts or no idea of who is pitching and what kind of move he has or what kind of time he has," Hamilton said. "I learned that. I wanted to cut down my caught stealing this year, I'm off to a good start, but I've got to get better and get on base more to do that."