Kiermaier aiming to take next step as base stealer

ARLINGTON — Kevin Kiermaier might be the best fielder in baseball, and you can take the might out of the equation if you ask his manager, Kevin Cash, who thinks he is the best at any position.

Now the Rays’ center fielder’s skill set is expanding to the offensive side, as well. Included in this year’s progression was Kiermaier’s fledgling skills as a basestealer.

Kiermaier was not in the lineup for the final game of the season after getting hit with a pitch on his left calf, leaving him with a contusion that makes running an exercies in pain. Thus, he won’t be stealing any bases on Sunday, which leaves him with 21 stolen bases on the season.

The speedy Kiermaier was thrown out just three times this season in 105 games, leaving him with an 87.5 percent success rate and creating the idea he can do more. Like 40 or 50 steals in a season, numbers he feels he can reach.

“Yeah, I do [believe he can steal 40 or 50],” Kiermaier said. “The term I …

continue reading in source mlb.mlb.com