Back in late 2022, ahead of the 2023 season, MLB announced a series of rule changes that significantly impacted how speed factors into the game. One of the changes was increasing the size of the bases, which reduced the distance between first and second base and second and third base by roughly 4.5 inches.
MLB also introduced limits on pitcher disengagements, including pickoff attempts and step-offs. Pitchers are now limited to two disengagements per plate appearance, giving baserunners more opportunities to get comfortable leads and attempt steals.
The introduction of the pitch clock in 2023 also played a huge role in increasing the impact of speed. With pitchers working within a set time limit, runners are better able to anticipate timing and recognize opportunities to break for second or third base, creating more chances to take advantage on the basepaths.
The Astros have yet to fully capitalize on these rule changes at the major league level. Since the implementation of these changes, the Astros rank 26th out of 30 teams in stolen bases, but the shift in philosophy throughout their minor league system could put them in a position to take advantage moving forward.
The trend has started to take shape in the minors. The Woodpeckers led the Astros system and the Carolina league in stolen bases last year with 334 stolen bases in 132 games. That’s good for 2.53 stolen bases per game. They’ve built on that this season and once again are leading the Carolina League with 196 stolen bases in just 71 games. The per game number is up to 2.64 this season.
“One was base stealing actually,” Josh Wakefield said when asked about a change he has made since joining the Astros system. “In college I had a green light, but I had to wait for the sign. Now they’re like, let’s just run because they know we have the speed and they want to put pressure on guys.”
“They definitely told us before the season we want you to steal more bases,” Anthony Huezo said when asked about the increase in stolen bases. “We want to be at the top and that’s our goal right now, just getting that next bag.”
Wakefield and Huezo are both prospects that come with big speed. Wakefield is up to 29 stolen bases through 46 games this season. Huezo has 28 stolen bases through 62 games. But other prospects, like Xavier Neyens who weren’t known for their speed, has also had an uptick in stolen bases.
“Just being aggressive on the base paths,” Neyens said about his increase in stolen bases. “Obviously being smart but being aggressive. Testing out limits but I’ve had fun running the bases.”
Carlos Lugo, who was named manager of the Woodpeckers in 2025 and is in his second season with the club, has helped be a driver of this newfound aggressiveness.
“We’re building an identity and it’s not just with the Woodpeckers,” Lugo said. “It’s part of the identity we’re creating through the Astros organization.”
“That’s something that’s been emphasized since Spring Training. With a young, athletic group like ours, we want to maximize that part of our game.”
Lugo mentioned players like Huezo, Camilo Diaz and German Ramirez as examples of guys with the speed to impact the game, and the Astros encourage them to use that tool to the fullest. However, he also pointed out that players like Kevin Alvarez and Xavier Neyens, who may not be considered “burners,” have continued to improve their baserunning and find ways to impact the game on the bases.
“We spend a lot of time teaching the detail like leads, reads, jumps, angles and overall baserunning instincts,” Lugo said. “We prepare before games, study reports, look for tendencies and try to identify opportunities that can give us an edge.”
But the increase in stolen bases and aggressiveness doesn’t just stop in Fayetteville. Asheville, the Astros’ High-A affiliate, is currently third in the South Atlantic League. Corpus Christi is also third in the Texas League this season after finishing middle of the pack last year.
“This year the emphasis has been getting into scoring position, moving guys over and trying to take advantage when you can,” Kyle Walker said about the organization’s philosophy. “A bunch of guys have a green light, so if you feel like you can go, that’s kind of been the emphasis with me, CP [Caden Powell] and Justin [Thomas Jr.].”
Walker is up to 26 stolen bases this year in High-A after stealing 22 bases last year in college. Justin Thomas Jr. already has 24 stolen bases this season after stealing just seven bases in 62 games for Arkansas in 2025.
“Last year really didn’t have to steal too many bases because I had a pretty good offense behind me but this year kind of want to get back to stealing bases as that’s part of my game,” Thomas said about the increase in steals. “Any time I get on first or second I am trying to get a bag.”
Possibly the biggest surprise in the stolen base department this season has come from one of the biggest prospects in the Astros system, Nehomar Ochoa. Listed at 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, Ochoa is not the first player that comes to mind when talking about speed, but he has shown the ability to impact the game on the bases. Through his first 32 games with Fayetteville this season, Ochoa has already surpassed his stolen base total from 2024, when he played in 102 games.
“I’ve always been quick and not as smart on the bases but one thing I learned this year is to read pitchers, how to count their timing and that’s something that has really helped me a lot,” Ochoa said. “Plus you really don’t need speed if you’re smart on the bases.”
For reference, the Astros minor league system stole 1,085 bases over 706 games in 2024 (1.53 per game), 1,172 bases over 710 games in 2025 (1.65 per game), and right now they are at 817 stolen bases through 378 games in 2026 (2.16 per game).
Good teams and good organizations find different ways to win, while also finding ways to maximize the talent they have on the roster. The Astros have started to implement that philosophy throughout their minor league system by encouraging players to use their athleticism and be more aggressive on the bases.
It may take time, but that speed and aggressiveness developing throughout the system could eventually become another weapon at the major league level.
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