A Baserunning Breakdown
The Baltimore Orioles entered the 2026 season with a promise of speed, but early data shows that promise has not translated into production on the bases.
Their stolen‑base success rate sits at 71.6 percent, placing them 25th out of 30 teams, and the numbers become even starker when individual players are examined.
Gunnar Henderson, a key catalyst in the lineup, has been caught stealing four times and has managed only seven successful attempts, while Jackson Holliday’s 68 percent success rate falls well below the league‑average benchmark of 78 percent.
Blaze Alexander has been thrown out three times in twelve attempts, and even Leody Taveras, the team’s leading baserunner, tops out at just ten steals.
The problem isn’t isolated to the basepaths; the Orioles’ defense ranks in the bottom five for outs above average, runs prevented and defensive runs saved, indicating a broader fielding malaise.
Veteran analyst Jason La Canfora has been vocal in his criticism, accusing team architect Mike Elias of repeating the same missteps that plagued the franchise in previous rebuilds.
What the numbers suggest is that the issues are less about raw talent and more about execution, coaching decisions and situational awareness. Without a clear strategic adjustment, the team risks turning a potentially explosive offense into a source of costly outs.