Who is the fastest MLB player right now? As Major League Baseball introduces new rules to increase the number of runs scored and stolen bases, the fastest players in MLB have an opportunity to shine in 2023.
By expanding the bases and reducing the number of pickoff attempts, we should see a dramatic increase in stolen bases this season. While there was an average of 0.51 steals per game last season, that average hasn’t eclipsed 0.6 since 2012. Furthermore, the last 50-steal season happened in 2017.
That figures to change this season. Larger bases and more opportunities to steal will unleash the fastest players in baseball. For the likes of Trea Turner, Bobby Witt Jr. and so many others, this season will be their time to shine in what could become the start of a new era for baseball.
Let’s dive into our breakdown of the fastest players in MLB entering the 2023 season.
Fastest players in baseball: Speeding into a new era
Here are the fastest MLB players right now, based on data from the 2022 MLB season and overall analysis tying in scouting reports and production.
1. Bobby Witt Jr., shortstop, Kansas City Royals
- Bobby Witt Jr. stats (2022): 30 stolen bases, 81% steal rate, 31 doubles, six triples
Bobby Witt Jr. is the fastest player in baseball and speed has been a calling card of his game for years. Entering the 2019 MLB Draft, Witt Jr. recorded an elite 6.40 60-yard dash time and a 1.54-second 10-yard split. FanGraphs and MLB.com both graded his speed at a 60 on the 20-80 scouting scale, but his numbers made him the fastest MLB player in 2022.
He led all qualified players in Sprint Speed and his home-to-first base time (4.13) ranked ahead of Trea Turner (4.14) and ranked second among all players with 100-plus competitive runs (Shohei Ohtani, 4.09 seconds). Turning 23 years old in June, Witt should remain one of the fastest players in MLB for a few years.
2. Corbin Carroll, outfielder, Arizona Diamondbacks
- Corbin Carroll stats 2022 (MLB & MiLB): 33 stolen bases, 31 doubles, 10 triples
Related: MLB MVP race 2023
Corbin Carroll might be the fastest baseball player in 2023. He didn’t qualify for the title last season because he only played in 32 games. However, his limited time in the majors still delivered numbers that put him in the conversation for the fastest player in baseball right now.
Carroll, who earned 80-grades for his speed, posted the second fastest home-to-first time (4.05) seconds among all MLB players in 2022. In addition, the 22-year-old outfielder recorded the highest Sprint Speed (30.7 mph) in the majors. Paired with his 6.33 60-yard dash and 1.49 10-yard split times, it’s easy to see why he is one of the fastest players in MLB.
Fastest players in MLB 2022 (StatCast)
Baseball Savant’s StatCast uses Sprint Speed as its measure for foot speed, defining it as the “feet per second in a player’s fastest one-second window” on a single play. It also uses a stat called ‘Bolt’, which measures any run above 30 ft. per second. Here’s a breakdown of the fastest players in MLB last season by Sprint Speed.
- Corbin Carroll, Arizona Diamondbacks – 30.7 mph Sprint Speed
- Bobby Witt Jr, Kansas City Royals – 30.4 mph Sprint Speed
- Jose Siri, Tampa Bay Rays – 30.4 mph Sprint Speed
- Bubba Thompson, Texas Rangers – 30.4 mph Sprint Speed
- Trea Turner, Philadelphia Phillies – 30.3 mph Sprint Speed
- Garrett Mitchell, Milwaukee Brewers – 30.2 mph Sprint Speed
- Jake McCarthy, Arizona Diamondbacks – 30.1 mph Sprint Speed
- Jorge Mateo, Baltimore Orioles – 30.1 mph Sprint Speed
- Eli White, Atlanta Braves – 30.1 mph Sprint Speed
- Wynton Bernard, Colorado Rockies – 30.1 mph Sprint Speed
Related: Longest home run in MLB history
3. Trea Turner, shortstop, Philadelphia Phillies
- Trea Turner career stats: 230 stolen bases, 36 triples, 84.559% stolen base rate
The fastest player in baseball for the majority of his career, Trea Turner is still among the quickest on the bases entering his age-30 season. While Turner hasn’t reached the 30-steal marker since 2021 and his last 40-steal campaign occurred in 2018. Even with those milestones no longer occurring, Turner holds the highest Sprint Speed (30.5 mph) and the fifth-fastest HP to first base time (4.14) since 2021.
4. Garrett Mitchell, outfielder, Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Garrett Mitchell will be in the running for the fastest player in baseball this season. He clocked a 6.35-second 60-yard dash time and a 1.54-second 10-yard split in 2027, earning 70-grades for his speed. Making his MLB debut in 2022, Mitchell stole eight bases in 28 games and registered a 30.2 mph Sprint Speed with an MLB-best 4.01-second home-to -first time. If Mitchell gets everyday playing time this year, he’s a strong bet for 30 steals.
Related: World Series odds 2023
5. Bubba Thompson, outfielder, Texas Rangers
- Bubba THompson stats (2022): 18 steals, five doubles, 30.4 mph Sprint Speed
Selected with the 26th pick in the 2017 MLB Draft, Bubba Thompson starred at quarterback for McGill-Toolen Catholic High School in Alabama and held scholarship offers from SEC schools. Instead of pursuing a career on the gridiron, Thompson remained on the diamond and became one of the fastest MLB players today.
The 24-year-old received 60-grades for his speed as a prospect, stealing 32 bases in A-ball during the 2018 season. Starring for the Rangers’ Triple-A affiliate this past season, Thompson swiped 49 bags with 12 doubles and four triples. He’s a lock for 25-plus steals this upcoming season and that 4.16 home-to-first time will help him snag a few infield hits, too.
6. Jose Siri, outfielder, Tampa Bay Rays
- Jose Siri stats (2022): 14 steals, 13 doubles in 301 at-bats
Acquired by the Tampa Bay Rays on Aug. 1, 2022, Jose Siri posted a stellar 87.5% conversion rate on stolen base attempts last season. The 27-year-old isn’t a dependable MLB hitter, but his speed makes him an absolute force on the base paths. It also makes him outstanding defensively, allowing Siri to finish in the 99th percentile for Outs ABove Average and the 95th percentile for Outfielder Jump last year.
Related: Highest-paid MLB players 2023
7. Eli White, outfielder, Atlanta Braves
The Texas Rangers fielded two of the fastest baseball players in 2022, but that likely won’t happen again this year. Texas traded Eli White to the Atlanta Braves, providing the speedster to the World Series contender in exchange for cash. Carrying a 30.1 mph Sprint Speed with a 4.11 home-to-first time and 20 runs exceeding 30 ft. per second, White provides Atlanta with excellent speed off the bench and that could prove especially useful in October.
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8. Jorge Mateo, shortstop, Baltimore Orioles
- Jorge Mateo stats (2022): 35 stolen bases, 25 doubles, seven triples
Jorge Mateo finished second in stolen bases (35) last season, turning consistent playing time into a career-best season. What’s remarkable about Mateo’s 35-swiped bags is that he achieved it with a .221 batting average and .267 OBP. Credit that to 80-grade speed and a 30.1 mph Sprint Speed.
Just Missed: Byron Buxton, OF, Minnesota Twins; Jake McCarthy, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks; Jo Adell, OF, Los Angeles Angels, Tyler O’Neill, OF, St. Louis Cardinals; CJ Abrams, SS, Washington Nationals
Who is the fastest MLB player ever?
Rickey Henderson is the fastest baseball player ever. During his Hall of Fame career, Henderson set MLB records for stolen bases in a career (1,406) and the single-season stolen base record (130) in the Modern Era. In terms of his raw speed, Henderson reportedly clocked a 9.6-second time in the 100-yard dash. If you’re looking for unbreakable records, Henderson’s stolen base numbers will never be broken.
Related: Best batting average in MLB history
This article was originally published on Sportsnaut.com and is republished here with permission.
