Braves’ Baserunning Issues: Walt Weiss Calls for Adjustments After Pickoff Spike

The Atlanta Braves have made a strong impression through the first 42 games of the 2026 season, showcasing impressive performance both at the plate and on the mound. Leading the majors in batting average at .272, slugging percentage at .452, and weighted On-Base Average (wOBA) at .347, the Braves have scored the most runs in baseball with 233. Their pitching staff has also shone, allowing just 143 runs, boasting the best defensive efficiency in the league, and tying for second in quality starts with 20.

However, amid this success, a troubling trend has emerged: an alarming increase in baserunners being picked off, a situation that has drawn the attention of manager Walt Weiss. During Tuesday night’s 5-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs, the Braves added two more pickoffs to their tally, bringing the season total to 10—more than any other team in Major League Baseball.

This figure matches the total number of pickoffs the Braves experienced throughout the entirety of the previous season and surpasses the pickoff counts from three of their last four seasons. Weiss addressed the issue postgame, acknowledging the need for adjustments. “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,” he said. Weiss expressed confidence in first base coach Antoan Richardson, noting his passion and accountability while emphasizing the necessity of improvement.

While Weiss pointed out that these pickoffs have not yet led to losses, some critical moments have arisen, highlighting the implications of the issue. A notable instance occurred when pinch-runner Jorge Mateo was picked off while representing the tying run in the eighth inning of the Braves’ only series loss against Seattle.

Despite the pickoff problems, the Braves’ aggressive baserunning philosophy has yielded positive results in certain areas. They are tied for fourth in the majors with 46 bases taken and have the fourth fewest outs on the bases, excluding pickoffs. Furthermore, they rank 11th in Statcast’s baserunning measure, a significant improvement from their bottom-ten finishes in recent seasons.

Yet, the Braves’ stolen base numbers tell a different story. With only 21 stolen bases, they sit at 21st in the majors, and their stolen-base percentage of 67.74% is the worst in the league. In terms of overall baserunning value, they are also ranked 22nd. Given this context, if the team is not capitalizing on stolen base opportunities, the frequency of pickoffs becomes even more concerning.

Weiss may need to consider a more selective approach to aggressive baserunning. For instance, players like Michael Harris II, with his speed, might be justified in taking risks on the bases, while others, such as Matt Olson—who has amassed just ten career stolen bases in 11 seasons—should exercise more caution. As the Braves continue their strong season, it is clear that addressing these pickoff issues will be essential to maintaining their winning momentum.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.