Live Link: https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/mlb/brewers/2024/06/20/brewers-are-among-mlb-leaders-in-stolen-bases-under-quintin-berry/74124136007/

Pat Murphy is, without question, the one pushing the buttons and pulling the levers for the top team in the National League Central Division.

But the first-year manager also isn't afraid to delegate. And handing the reins to his coaching staff has helped send the Milwaukee Brewers down a historic path in one key area: stealing bases.

The Brewers are good at stealing bases. And not just "middle of the pack" good.

They're the second-most prolific base-stealing team in the major leagues.

Through Wednesday, the Brewers had stolen 104 bases. The Cincinnati Reds, the team Milwaukee just defeated in a series win on Fathers' Day weekend, led the league with 107. The Washington Nationals are also in the mix with 101, and the Philadelphia Phillies are the next closest with 77.

It's still early, but the Brewers have a legitimate shot to lead the league in steals. They're also on pace to finish the season with 228 stolen bases, which would be second-most in franchise history behind their 256 in 1992.

It isn't just stealing bases where the Brewers shine, either; they also lead the league with 11.8 runs above average produced via base running in general, according to FanGraphs.

If not Murphy, where is the aggression coming from?

"I'm not that involved," the Brewers manager said. "Quintin (Berry) is the leader of our base-running and he's tremendous. He's done a great job. I think where I'm involved is that I've given him the license to go. I've let him know that this is going to be a part of our identity. I think he takes it from there."

Quintin Berry has gone from prolific base-stealer to great base-running coach

Berry, a former major-leaguer with Detroit, Boston and Milwaukee, among others, has been the Brewers' first-base coach since 2021. During his playing career, Berry's calling card was his speed, particularly as a pinch-runner. In his first season he stole 21 bases for the Tigers.

Now, instead of stealing bases himself, he does everything he can to help his players snag an extra base. Berry credits his experience as a player for being able to now help the players he coaches.

"It always helps because I have a feeling for what they're going through out here," Berry said. "I understand when we can't do something or when we can. I always try to be mindful of that and put myself in their shoes. I think they trust me because I've been out there too. I also gain that trust from them, and it kind of works both ways."

Jake Bauers is someone who has benefited from fully placing his trust in Berry's calls. The first baseman-outfielder already has stolen seven bases in 52 games, bettering his career high of six established three separate times, most recently in 2021 (in 72 games).

He credits Berry for not only his success on the bases but the team’s solid play as a whole.

"'Q' does a great job giving you the information," Bauers said. "It's up to you to get out there, pick it up and see if it's something you want to take advantage of.

"He's got a spot in our meetings every day. We talk about what the pitcher's got, what tips he might be giving as far as who can steal. I'm not necessarily the fastest guy in the room, so I kind of need a rock or a breath or something to time up. When we have it, I try to look for it and take advantage."

Bauers is not the only Brewer running wild this year.

Shortstop Willy Adames has 10 stolen bases, surpassing his career high of eight. Second-year outfielder Sal Frelick beat his former best of seven with his eighth steal June 4 against Philadelphia, and now has nine. Blake Perkins, another second-year outfielder, doubled from five steals last season to 10 in nearly the same amount of games played.

Then there's Brice Turang, who ranks second in the majors with 26.

The Brewers have eight players who have recorded five or more steals this season. They are tied with the Nationals, who also have eight players in that category, and again trail a Reds team that boasts nine players with at least five.

All players, however, are not built the same. Not everyone has the speed of Elly De La Cruz, who leads the major leagues with 37 steals and whizzed by Brewers defenders from second base to home plate after an errant pickoff throw in a recent game. Berry keeps the players' athleticism in mind when coaching them at first base.

"I might be more aggressive when you have a Brice Turang or a Jackson Chourio," Berry said. "Now, when I have the other guys, it's being more selective. You have Joey Ortiz, who hasn't stolen much. Rhys Hoskins has to have the right combination, like what we were able to do in Philly. Picking out the right spots, being more selective with those guys, but when you have the speed, if they feel it, go. If they have the opportunity, then be super aggressive."

Speaking of Turang, the sophomore second baseman just tied his rookie season mark of 26 steals with two against the Reds in Milwaukee's 5-4 victory on Fathers' Day. He's registered the same amount of stolen bases in 70 fewer games.

"’QB’ helps out a ton," Turang said. "He's always in our ear trying to help us get that extra base. It's part of the game. I steal bases, even when I was younger I did, it's just a part of my game.

"A lot of (the preparation) is before the game, but you go to the game and pitchers change, things change. You watch a video, but next thing you know he's not doing what the video's doing. So then we're communicating through that. He could something that I don't see, too."

Brewers runners working in tandem with Berry for stealing success

The players, though, don't always listen to Berry. The first base coach embraces the abstract concept of "feel" for each individual. All the preparation in the world – watching a pitcher's timing, rhythm, the pitch selection, the catcher's tendencies – doesn't matter if the runner doesn't feel comfortable taking off.

"The only time I'll get frustrated is if we've got a really good key and they're giving it to us and then we roll into a double play," Berry said. "There was one in Kansas City – me and Brice went back and forth. He knows that I was frustrated because we had a good key.

"I can't force you to do it; you have to feel it. And I can't be mad at you for not feeling it. But once we roll into a double play, then I kind of get (frustrated) if you don't feel it. Or, if you feel like you're trying to do too much, you'll get tense, you can't run, you'll get locked up.

"You've got to feel it."

Do not mistake Berry's zealousness for recklessness. Despite being a league leader in stolen bases, the Brewers rank 10th in being caught. The Washington Nationals (34) have been caught stealing twice as often as Milwaukee (17).

There are very few constants in baseball. Pitching doesn't always travel from game to game, and neither does hitting. Murphy himself acknowledged the Brewers haven't been swinging the bat great recently.

Through the hitting struggles, Milwaukee's base-running has kept the offense afloat. Berry and the players have enjoyed the freedom to remain aggressive once they get to first base.

"When you want to be an aggressive baseball club, when you want to see results, you've got to be free," Berry said "(Murphy) has done a good job letting us know there are going to be times when we're going to get out. Everybody's going to be like, 'What are you doing?'

"That's part of it. And you have to be OK with having those hard questions asked. I'm always willing to take full brunt of anything that happens that goes wrong and allow these players to be free.

"It's my fault if we get thrown out."