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One of the major narratives at this early stage of the 2023 season is that the stolen base is the Comeback Play of the Year. Bolstered by the pickoff limits, the 20-second timer with runners aboard and the bigger bases, the rate of stolen bases per game has risen 41.2 percent — from 0.51 per game last year to 0.69 per game this year.

If it holds, that would be the largest such year-over-year jump in modern MLB history.

But it’s really only a handful of teams driving that narrative. What’s happened is some especially speedy squads have taken off running, and they’ve brought the leaguewide rate along for the ride.

Wander Franco’s nifty grab wasn’t the most important play of the day, but nothing topped it in style points.

The Pirates’ 16-7 record is thanks to a collective improvement from both the pitching and hitting, but it’s the latter that’s been the main driving force for the Pirates’ hot start.

Wander Franco’s feat brought to mind some of baseball’s best — and most improbable — barehanded catches.

MLB Pipeline’s weekly honor features a trio of Dodgers and a Top 100 prospect who continued to be lights-out on the bump.

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