For all the discussion surrounding the launch-angle revolution and increased home-run numbers, an unexpected byproduct has been a significant uptick in one of baseball’s most-dazzling plays — home-run robberies.
Entering play Friday, there had already been 19 home-run robberies in 2019, according to Sports Info Solutions. That puts MLB teams on pace for 83 robberies this season, almost 20 more than any other season since the data started being tracked in 2004.
That pace is a little juiced by an astounding five robberies in the past three days — including one by Diamondbacks outfielder Adam Jones on Thursday — but home-run robberies have been on the climb over the past few seasons.