History on the basepaths: Nats join 1917 Pirates with stolen base feat

WASHINGTON -- The Nationals made a commitment in Spring Training to use their speed and athleticism to be aggressive on the basepaths this season. Whether a player was with the Nats in Major League camp, learned it at the Minor League level or was introduced to it when they joined the club during the season, the goal was emphasized up and down the lineup.

When Andres Chaparro stole his first career base in the opening frame in Washington’s 12-0 loss to the Braves on Tuesday, he represented the 23rd different player on the Nats who heeded that message this season.

The 2024 Nationals became the first team since the 1917 Pirates with 23 players who had at least one stolen base in a single season.

“I said this from the beginning, we’ve got to create different things,” said manager Dave Martinez. “This year, stealing bases was very, very important for us. Running the bases well was very important to us. We’ve had our flaws, but I think overall we’ve done a better job with that.”

Washington ranks first in baseball with 198 stolen bases; Jacob Young leads the team with 31, with CJ Abrams (28) and Luis García Jr. (21), who had never reached double digits prior to this season, right behind Young.

On the other hand, the Nats have the second-fewest homers in the Major Leagues this season with 120.

“Pay attention to the little things,” Martinez noted, adding, “… We haven’t hit many home runs, so we’ve got to look at other ways to score.”

The Nationals’ production is an increase from last season’s 127 stolen bases -- when Abrams accounted for 47 of them -- and a massive jump from their 75 steals in 2022. With two more stolen bases, they will become the first club in team history (2005-present) to reach the 200 milestone.

Earlier in the season, veterans Lane Thomas (28), Jesse Winker (14), Eddie Rosario (8), Victor Robles (4) and Harold Ramírez (1) contributed to the tally when they were members of the Nationals.

Now in a chapter of the organization based in developing young talent, rookies James Wood (12 stolen bases in 61 games), Trey Lipscomb (11 in 58 games), Dylan Crews (5 in 13 games) and Nasim Nu?ez (5 in 37 games) have demonstrated how players have embraced the approach in their first seasons.

While leading the league in stolen bases, the Nats also have been caught on the most attempts (65).

“Now the next step is to understand when to steal bases, the opportunity that arises, to be ready all the time,” said Martinez. “I know they’re ready, but picking opportunities where it’s beneficial to us, not just getting over there and run just to run. These are the things that they’ve got to learn. They’re young and they’re eager, they want to go. Everybody wants to steal.”

Chaparro had been looking for his first stolen base since he debuted on Aug. 13. With Wood on third base and two outs, he recognized an opportunity. Had the Braves thrown to second, Wood was prepared to run home with third baseman Gio Urshela playing off the bag. In less than a month with the Nats, Chaparro embraced their approach.

“I guess Chappy was over there telling [first-base coach Gerardo] Parra, ‘Can I go? Can I go? Can I go?’ right from the first pitch,” Martinez said. “Parra says, ‘Stay right here until you see the sign.’ I like that, but we’ve got to be smart about it.”