Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen is voicing his concern over a potential issue arising in MLB.
With the new pitch clock rules has come a significant increase in baserunning activity, with far more players attempting to steal bases than in previous years. In 2023, MLB teams are averaging 0.89 attempted stolen bases per game, the highest since 2012, and they are converting at a 78.8% success rate.
While more activity on the basepaths isn’t necessarily a bad thing, McCutchen is concerned that players are becoming more susceptible to injury when fielders block the base with their bodies.
It’s not against the rules to use your body to block the base, but McCutchen seems to think it should be.
“It’s inevitable that someone is going to get hurt,” McCutchen told The Athletic. “The only thing we can do is slide cleats-first and possibly injure (the fielder) or injure both of us. If MLB is all about preventing injuries, like they do at the plate with the catcher, why isn’t there a rule that says, ‘If you’re receiving the ball on a steal attempt, you can’t block the base’?”
McCutchen urged MLB to be proactive and implement a rule change before someone gets injured, rather than waiting until an injury happens to address the situation.
“It seems like something really bad has to happen before a rule change that makes perfect sense can take place,” said the 36-year-old. “Why not do something now to protect the players and also maintain the integrity of the game?”
This season in Pittsburgh, McCutchen is slashing .261/.364/.449 with seven home runs, 19 RBI, and 22 runs. He’s attempted five stolen bases, successfully reaching on four of those tries.
