MLB Stolen Base Leader Odds 2025: De La Cruz Way Out in Front as Favorite
MLB made some rule changes before the 2023 season, and increasing the action on the base paths was among the aims. That goal was quickly achieved, and now a speedster who led the league in swipes last year sits atop the MLB stolen base leader odds for 2025.
That's Elly De La Cruz, who recorded 67 steals last year. He was one of three players to notch 50-plus steals. Prior to 2023 and before the rules changes, the league leader averaged 44.8 steals over the previous four non-pandemic-shortened campaigns.
De La Cruz is now the overwhelming favorite at +130 odds from one of our best MLB betting sites.
📊 Stolen base leader odds 2025
The MLB stolen base leader odds are based on the top MLB odds.
Some quick notes and observations on the early MLB stolen base leader odds:
- The blazing-fast De La Cruz holds a significant lead by the odds, as he's getting an implied probability to win of 43.48%, while Corbin Carroll of the Arizona Diamondbacks is receiving 10.53%
- There's a steep drop off after the second position on the oddsboard, with only De La Cruz and Carroll getting odds of +1200 or shorter
- Shohei Ohtani was the one within reach of De La Cruz last year at 59 steals, but he's far down the board now at +6600, with his eventual return to the mound as a two-way player expected to limit stealing opportunities (his previous single-season career high before 2024 was 26 steals)
👟 Stolen base leader odds favorite
🔥 Elly De La Cruz stolen base leader odds (+130)
There's an age-old baseball cliche about the rules prohibiting the stealing of first base. It's a wink at players who possess immense speed, but not the on-base ability to put themselves in a position to use it.
To some small degree that applied to De La Cruz as a rookie in 2023. Sure, he flew around for 35 stolen bases over just 98 games. But a batting average of just .235 and an on-base percentage of .300 left us wondering how much higher that stolen-base production could have been.
We then received our answer last year. His slash line went from .235/.300/.410 to .259/.339/.471. Combine that with his blistering speed and base-running instincts, and there was more than enough runway for De La Cruz to easily lead the league in stolen bases.
He's only now entering his age-23 season, and there are further improvements to make at the plate. Namely, cutting down on his strikeouts after he recorded a league-leading 218 last year. His stolen base totals could reach even greater heights if that development continues, which is why right now a $10 bet is leading to only a $13 profit.
Best odds: +130 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 43.48%
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👀 Stolen base leader odds player to watch
👑 Bobby Witt Jr. stolen base leader odds (+1600)
We've already looked at the MLB MVP odds and wondered if Witt can challenge Aaron Judge for the AL honor while making our MLB MVP predictions.
If the five-tool wizard does rise to yet another rung, his stolen-base production could be a factor.
Witt has logged three straight 30-plus steal seasons, and he's just one year removed from sitting fourth leaguewide with 49. It feels like it will take a Herculean leap from anyone to catch De La Cruz, but Witt would at least be in range and give himself an opportunity if he can revert back to that 2023 form on the bases.
His sprint speed sat at 30.5 feet per second last year, according to Baseball Savant, putting him in the top 1% of MLB.
A $10 bet at these long +1600 odds would result in a $160 profit.
Best odds: +1600 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 5.88%
💡 How to bet on MLB stolen base leader odds
Betting on the MLB stolen base leader odds is straightforward. First, pick a reputable sportsbook offering MLB stolen base leader futures. Check the odds for various players; for instance, if Player A has +300 odds and Player B has +700, Player A is favored to win.
Place your bet by deciding how much to wager. If you bet $100 on Player A at +300 and they win, you’ll get $400 back ($100 stake + $300 profit). Keep an eye on player performances throughout the season to gauge your bet’s potential.
Now, why do odds move in future markets? It’s all about performance and perception. If a player performs exceptionally well or poorly, their odds will shift. Injuries to the player or their competitors can also significantly impact their MLB stolen base leader chances.
The success of the player’s team can improve their odds as well. Public betting trends play a role; if many people are betting on one player, sportsbooks might adjust the odds to balance their risk. Expert analysis and predictions can also influence how people bet, affecting the odds. Understanding these factors helps you make informed bets and potentially take advantage of favorable odds movements.
📖 How to read MLB stolen base leader odds
Reading MLB stolen base leader odds involves understanding the implied probability and potential payouts associated with each player's odds of leading MLB in stolen bases. MLB stolen base leader odds are typically presented in American odds.
These use plus and minus symbols to indicate underdogs and favorites, respectively. For instance, if a player's odds are +500, a $100 bet would result in a $500 profit if the player wins, while odds of -200 would mean that a $200 bet is required to win $100 in profit.
When reading MLB stolen base leader odds, lower odds indicate that a player has a higher probability of being the leader, while higher odds suggest that a player is considered less likely. Bettors should consider factors such as a player's performance and team success when evaluating stolen base leader odds.
It's also important to compare odds across different sportsbooks to identify the best value bets. Additionally, bettors should keep in mind that MLB stolen base leader odds can fluctuate throughout the season based on player performance, injuries, and other factors, so staying informed and monitoring odds changes can be crucial for making informed betting decisions.
🏆 Recent stolen base leaders
| Year | Player (Total) |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Elly De La Cruz (67) |
| 2023 | Ronald Acuna Jr. (73) |
| 2022 | Jon Berti (41) |
| 2021 | Starling Marte (47) |
| 2020 | Adalberto Mondesi (24)* |
| 2019 | Mallex Smith (46) |
| 2018 | Whit Merrifield (45) |
| 2017 | Dee Strange-Gordon (60) |
| 2016 | Jonathan Villar (62) |
| 2015 | Dee Strange-Gordon (58) |
| 2014 | Dee Strange-Gordon (64) |
*Pandemic-shortened season
❓ Stolen base leader FAQs
Who's the favorite to lead MLB in stolen bases during 2025?
Cincinnati Red shortstop Elly De La Cruz is the favorite while getting +130 odds from DraftKings, which leads to an implied probability of 43.48%.
Who led MLB in stolen bases during 2024?
De La Cruz led MLB in stolen bases last season while recording 67, with Shohei Ohtani further back at 59.
When will the 2025 MLB stolen base leader be decided?
The leader in stolen bases will be determined at the end of the season, which concludes on Sept. 28.
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