With the arrival of Opening Day, we’re getting our first look at MLB’s new rules in competitive games. And while the pitch clock dominated much of the preseason conversation, the pickoff limit might be one of the more overlooked (but more consequential) changes for the 2023 season.
We didn’t have to wait very long to see the new rule in action either.
During the first inning of the Atlanta Braves’ game against the Washington Nationals on Thursday, Ronald Acuña Jr. realized that Patrick Corbin had already used his two pickoff attempts per plate appearance. Acuña could be seen confirming that two were used, and he got so excited that he stumbled as he tried to steal (Matt Olson would foul off the pitch).
Ronald Acuña Jr. realizes Patrick Corbin has already thrown over twice and he gets really excited about it! 😂
Easy steal on the next pitch though and Ronald is gonna steal a ton of bags this season if he stays healthy. pic.twitter.com/gsUZPW01aw
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) March 30, 2023
The very next pitch, though, Acuña took off and had himself an easy stolen base.
With the new rules, runners know they can take a healthy lead off the base once the two pickoff attempts are used. The pitcher is allowed to throw over for a third attempt, but he has to get the runner out. Otherwise, the baserunner is awarded a base.
You’re going to see so many runners take advantage of that rule, and pitchers are going to need to be more strategic with their pickoff attempts.
MLB fans also had thoughts on this new rule.
This was how Twitter reacted
Dumbest rule in baseball, and that's saying something cause there's some interesting ones 😂 https://t.co/0ZEANzBCNV
— TreyDeuce (@TheRealTreyDuce) March 30, 2023
50 steal year? https://t.co/PLr7oHQnlD
— Uncle Charles y’all (@CdubyaSim) March 30, 2023
80's Baseball is back baby!!! https://t.co/gJTeBApFPJ
— Jasmin Blanchette (@Blanchette_Jas) March 30, 2023
Comments don’t understand that you ARE allowed to throw over a third time, you just have to get them out. Great rule change, it’ll rejuvenate base stealing. https://t.co/PJ0PzQtq8b
— Rickland Chang (@rickyrickchang) March 30, 2023
Having the best catcher in baseball has become more valuable than ever. #Phillies https://t.co/XbTXWAjO6Q
— Daniel J. Louis (@DLo3434) March 30, 2023
It only took 1 batter into the season for this stupid rule to allow a free stolen base https://t.co/MP1OIoID24
— Jakester (@JakeAngelico) March 30, 2023
This is wild lol https://t.co/EJ2OsRujrf
— Chris McFarland (@cmcfarland936) March 30, 2023
Ngl this rule change is gonna break the game. Everything else would’ve been fine but limiting pick offs is just giving free bags to anyone in the top 10% of sprint speed https://t.co/CHXWtc4w7e
— Jordan Rogers (@jweebjo) March 30, 2023
I’m all for stolen bases but these rule changes are ridiculous https://t.co/4fhcRIz8UO
— Matt Casals (@Papi_Cinco) March 30, 2023
Again, pitchers can have a third pickoff attempt. But either way, stolen bases are going to be WAY up thanks to this change.
