Red Sox Outfielder Ties 20-Year-Old MLB Spring Training Stolen Base Record

Braiden Ward has 16 stolen bases in 15 Grapefruit League games this spring.

Published on Mar. 12, 2026

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Boston Red Sox outfielder Braiden Ward has tied a 20-year-old MLB spring training record with 16 stolen bases in 15 Grapefruit League games this spring. Ward, a non-roster invitee, has a chance to break the record on Thursday against the Minnesota Twins.

Why it matters

Ward's impressive stolen base performance in spring training could help him earn a spot on the Red Sox's Opening Day roster or get called up to the majors during the regular season as a pinch runner. His speed and base-stealing ability could provide a valuable asset for the Red Sox.

The details

Ward, a 27-year-old outfielder, was acquired by the Red Sox in a trade with the Colorado Rockies in November. With several Red Sox outfielders competing at the World Baseball Classic, Ward has taken advantage of the increased playing time in spring training, recording 16 stolen bases in 17 attempts across 15 games. This ties the single-spring record set by Eugenio Velez of the San Francisco Giants in 2008.

  • On Tuesday, Ward recorded his 16th stolen base of the spring against the Detroit Tigers.
  • Ward will have a chance to break the 20-year-old spring training stolen base record on Thursday, March 14, 2026, as he's starting in right field and batting eighth in the Red Sox's lineup against the Minnesota Twins.

The players

Braiden Ward

A 27-year-old outfielder for the Boston Red Sox who was acquired in a trade with the Colorado Rockies in November. He has a league-leading 16 stolen bases in 17 attempts across 15 Grapefruit League games this spring.

Eugenio Velez

A former outfielder who set the previous single-spring record of 16 stolen bases with the San Francisco Giants in 2008.

Jacoby Ellsbury

A former Red Sox outfielder who holds the record for the most steals by a Red Sox player over a 16-game stretch in the regular season, with 18 in 19 attempts from May 24 to June 15, 2013.

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What they’re saying

“According to FanGraphs, Ward's 16 thefts is tied for the most by any player in a single spring since 2006, matching San Francisco's Eugenio Velez's total from 2008 with two weeks of games still to play.”

— Mac Cerullo, Reporter (The Boston Herald)

“The most steals by a Red Sox player over a 16-game stretch in the regular season is 18 (in 19 attempts) by Jacoby Ellsbury from May 24 to June 15, 2013.”

— Gabrielle Starr, Reporter (The Boston Herald)

“But Cora often says it takes more than 26 guys to win a championship, and if this spring has been any indication Ward will have a good chance to make his MLB debut and contribute at some point down the road.”

— Mac Cerullo, Reporter (The Boston Herald)

What’s next

Ward will have a chance to break the 20-year-old spring training stolen base record on Thursday, March 14, 2026, as he's starting in right field and batting eighth in the Red Sox's lineup against the Minnesota Twins.

The takeaway

Braiden Ward's impressive stolen base performance in spring training could help him earn a spot on the Red Sox's Opening Day roster or get called up to the majors during the regular season, providing the team with a valuable base-stealing threat off the bench or as a pinch runner.