Colorado Rockies on pace for all-time low in stolen bases

Mark Reynolds stole a base in the second inning on Thursday night. That may not make the headlines in a 10-7 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers, but it was a rarity for the Colorado Rockies this season.

Simply put, if the Rockies have felt the need for speed this season, they haven’t been able to get out of first gear on the basepaths.

Heading into Friday’s series continuation against the Dodgers at Coors Field, Colorado was at the bottom of Major League Baseball with just eight stolen bases this season (including the swipe by Reynolds on Thursday, just his fourth stolen base over the last three seasons). The Chicago White Sox entered Friday as the only other MLB with less than 10 stolen bases, totaling nine so far. Arizona and Cincinnati lead MLB with 38 swipes.

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At this rate, the Rockies are projected to steal just 28 more bases this season. That would put them at 36 for the entire campaign and be a low in franchise history. The 2004 team had just 44 stolen bases.

That would continue a downward five-year trend for the Rockies when it comes to swiping bases. Last season, Colorado finished tied for 20^th in MLB with 66 stolen bases. In 2015, Colorado finished 8^th with 97. In 2014, Colorado was 19^th with 85 stolen bases. That follows a five-year high of 112 (tied for 9^th in MLB) in 2013.

One of the main reasons Colorado doesn’t have many stolen bases this season? It may seem like common sense but they simply haven’t tried very often … and when they have, they haven’t been that successful. Rockies runners have been thrown out six times, making a total of 14 attempts all season in the team’s first 36 games.

Charlie Blackmon and DJ LeMahieu pace the Rockies with two stolen bases each. They each picked up a stolen base at the same time when Colorado executed a double steal on Tuesday against Jake Arrieta and the Chicago Cubs.

Yes, of Colorado’s eight stolen bases of the season, two came on the play.

While it may not be the focus of Colorado’s offense this season, it certainly could add to an already dangerous offense. Ian Desmond showed why in his second of the game of the season against San Diego. At Petco Park on May 2, Desmond stole second and came all the way around to score when the catcher’s throw to nail him bounced into center field.

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LeMahieu has 34 steals over the past two seasons. Blackmon has 88 over the past three seasons. Desmond has 20 or more stolen bases in five of the last six campaigns. There is plenty of speed at Colorado’s disposal. The Rockies just have to find a way to light the fuse.

At 23-13, there has been little to worry about this season with the Rockies. However, this is a number to keep an eye on as the season progresses.