Walt Weiss says Braves need to make baserunning adjustment to address pickoff issues

"At the plate, they lead the majors in batting average (.272), slugging percentage (.452), wOBA (.347), wRC+ (121), and have scored the most runs of any team (233). On the mound and with the gloves, they're tops in runs allowed (143) and defensive efficiency (.249 BABIP-against), fifth in defensive value, while also tied for second in quality starts (20). Though the pitching has had some ups and downs, the defense has buoyed it, and they're in the top half of MLB in FIP and xFIP."

"There's only been one real glaring issue through the first quarter of the season. There's been an undeniable spike in baserunners being picked off under new first base coach Antoan Richardson. With two more pickoffs in Tuesday night's 5-2 win over the Chicago Cubs, the Braves have been picked off 10 times this season. That's two more than any other major league team."

"It's also already as many pickoffs as the Braves had on the bases in all 162 games last season and more than they had in three of their four entire seasons between 2021-24. It would seem that Braves manager Walt Weiss has seen enough of the new way the Braves are trying to be aggressive on the basepaths. "To be honest, it's gotten to a point where we're going to have to make an adjustment there. I don't think it's costing us games, but it just shouldn't happen at this rate," Weiss said postgame Tuesday."

""I know we're trying to do some things different, and the guys are working their butts off trying to be really good at it. Antoan has been awesome. He's got passion, he's accountable. That's just something we've got to clean up." While Weiss can say none of the pickoffs have cost them games - and it's clearly not stopping the Braves' winning ways - these issues have come up in some critical spots."

The 2026 Atlanta Braves have strong results through 42 games, leading MLB in batting average, slugging percentage, wOBA, wRC+, and runs scored. On the mound and in the field, they lead in runs allowed and defensive efficiency, rank fifth in defensive value, and are tied for second in quality starts. Their pitching has fluctuated, but defense has helped, and they sit in the top half of MLB in FIP and xFIP. The main concern is a spike in baserunners being picked off under first base coach Antoan Richardson, with 10 pickoffs already, more than any other team. The manager indicates an adjustment is needed to reduce the rate of pickoffs.

Read at Battery Power