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Ronald Acuna Jr. led all players in steals during 2023, and he's the front-runner by the latest 2024 MLB stolen base leader odds from our best MLB betting sites.

We saw a seismic shift in the stolen bases market during 2024, which was a direct result of MLB's myriad rule changes in 2023. While the wider bases drew much of the attention, the new rules limiting pick-off attempts and speeding up a pitcher's delivery helped boost steals leaguewide.

Will we see that trend line continue even further in 2024? With the leaguewide success rate so high for stolen base attempts last season, we can expect even more steal attempts from the top base-runners. That could result in stolen base numbers that we haven't seen in a long time.

In 2023 the total stolen bases around MLB (3,503) went up a whopping 40% compared to 2022, and it was the most in a season since 1987.

Here is our look at the best odds for the 2024 MLB stolen base leader, with our best MLB picks among the favorites, contenders, and long shots.

MLB 2024 stolen base leader odds

(Odds updated March 28)

PlayerDraftKingsFanDuelBetRiversCaesarsbet365
Ronald Acuna Jr.+190+210 🔥+150+180 +150
Esteury Ruiz+250+340 🔥+225 ❄️+250+275
Elly De La Cruz+600+700+800+600+1000 🔥
Corbin Carroll+700+700+500+800 🔥+500
CJ Abrams+800+1000+1000 +700 ❄️+800
Bobby Witt Jr.+900+850 ❄️+1000+1000 +1100 🔥
Julio Rodriguez+3000   +3000+3500 🔥+2700+2500 ❄️
Trea Turner+4000+4500 🔥+2500 ❄️+3500+3000
Nico Hoerner+4000+4500+4000+4000+5000 🔥
Michael Harris+4000+6000 🔥+4000+4000+5000

MLB 2024 stolen base leader favorite

Ronald Acuna (+210 via FanDuel)

Acuna led MLB with 73 stolen bases in 2023, the first time in his career he's paced both leagues, and the second time the outfielder has led the National League after swiping 37 bags in 2019. So it shouldn't surprise anyone to see our best sportsbooks listing him as the favorite in 2024.  

The superstar has battled injuries throughout his career. But he was finally healthy in 2023, logging a career-high 159 games played to reach that gaudy steals total. His stolen base numbers have routinely impressed, and if the 2023 NL MVP can stay healthy, he'll be in the running by season's end to repeat in this market.

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MLB 2024 stolen base leader odds: Contender

Esteury Ruiz (+340 via FanDuel)

Ruiz paced the AL as a rookie in 2023 and was trading at minus-money odds to lead the majors before an injury sidelined him in early July. Still, the Oakland Athletics outfielder clearly possesses the skills and production to warrant a bet at this price.

The speedster took a little time to get back into form after his absence, swiping 10 bags across 22 games in August. He rebounded in September though, stealing 14 bases over his final 25 games before finishing second behind Acuna in total stolen bases (67).

Ruiz finishing with just six fewer steals than Acuna despite 148 fewer plate appearances makes him a compelling bet to lead the majors if he can stay healthy in 2024.

MLB 2024 stolen base leader odds: Long shot

Trea Turner (+4500 via FanDuel)

This isn't the best market to go long-shot shopping given the prolific skill sets and aggression from the top base-stealers.

However, Turner used to be a mainstay atop this market after leading the NL in stolen bases twice before (2018 and 2021) as one of the fastest players in baseball. He only stole 30 bases during his first year with the Philadelphia Phillies, but that success came on just 30 attempts.

Given his literal perfection on the base paths in 2023, I'd be shocked if Turner doesn't push the limits in 2024 to generate some surplus value for his team. He's also been much healthier than Acuna or Ruiz in recent years. That makes him a legitimate contender, even at these long odds.

Recent stolen base leaders

YearPlayer (Total)
2023Ronald Acuna Jr. (73)
2022Jon Berti (41)
2021Starling Marte (47)
2020Adalberto Mondesi (24)*
2019Mallex Smith (46)
2018Whit Merrifield (45)
2017Dee Strange-Gordon (60)
2016Jonathan Villar (62)
2015Dee Strange-Gordon (58)
2014Dee Strange-Gordon (64)

*Pandemic-shortened season

MLB 2024 stolen base leader odds analysis

This is a tough market to find value in down the board, as the leaders in stolen bases often outpace the rest of the field by a wide margin.

But everyone can be a base-stealer after MLB's recent rule changes. That doesn't mean we'll see players jump from five steals to 50. But it does offer a green light for some of the mid-tier contenders to be more aggressive on the base paths in 2024, which could bring more steals leaguewide than we've seen in years.

MLB betting odds pages

MLB stolen base leader FAQs

Who is the favorite to lead MLB in stolen bases?

Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. is the betting favorite (+210) to lead MLB in stolen bases in 2024 after pacing the majors last season.

Who led MLB in stolen bases last season?

Ronald Acuna Jr. finished the 2023 MLB season with a career-high 73 steals, the most by any player since Jose Reyes swiped 78 bags in 2007.

When will the stolen bases leader be decided?

The winner in this market will be the player who leads MLB in stolen bases at the end of the regular season, which concludes on Sept. 29, 2024.

Here are our best MLB betting sites:

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* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.

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