One of the recurring themes in this year’s World Series between the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers was New York’s ineptitude at basepathing. The team is hit or miss scoring, exacerbating the offensive issues that allowed Los Angeles to jump out to a 3-1 series lead.
MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch, who covers the Yankees, indulged broadcaster John Sterling’s assertion that the Yankees “run the bases like drunks” and determined that New York was the worst base team in MLB this season, sitting at 16.9 base points for the campaign.
In third place on that list were the Houston Astros with -12.7. Despite their offensive prowess, the Astros have been negative on basepaths during the 2024 season. Statcast data highlights their struggles, particularly in advancing runners on batted balls, which places them among the least efficient baserunning teams in Major League Baseball. Their ineptitude has hampered their ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities, even with a commendable batting average with runners in scoring position.
The Detroit Tigers, known for their superior base running, demonstrated the impact of that skill during their playoff win over the Astros. Their skill on the bases emphasized the importance of base running in maximizing run production. At +11 points in the regular season, the second-best mark in all of MLB, that discrepancy was evident in Detroit’s upset of Houston in the AL Wild Card Series.
Several factors contribute to the Astros’ base running challenges. The aging roster may lack the speed and agility needed for an effective starting rotation, as the only positive-rated starters (via Statcast) this season are outfielder Jake Myers, 28, and Jeremy Pena, 27.
Training and base running decisions may also have played a role. Coincidentally, the Astros elected to move on from third base coach Gary Bettis this offseason, providing an opportunity to reset the strategic footing under new coach Tony Perezchika, who joined the organization from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Arizona was ranked as the top starting team in the MLB this season, finishing at +13 points via Statcast.
To enhance their proficiency in base running, the Astros could implement focused training sessions, perhaps including former players with proven base running experience. Incorporating younger, faster talent into the lineup could provide a boost as well. Late-season acquisitions like Ben Gamel and Jason Heyward have provided modest improvements down the stretch, suggesting that targeted signings, internal development and better coaching compared to last season could significantly improve the Astros’ starting pitching in the 2025 season.
Although core operation is not the sole determinant of a team’s success, it plays a critical role in operating efficiency. By addressing this area, the Astros can better leverage their offensive strengths and enhance their overall performance next season.
