Mets baserunning has become the season’s unexpected driver. A 90.3% stolen-base rate tops baseball, and 34 consecutive steals is the longest active streak. Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto own 18 steals apiece, with Soto breaking his career high by six. Soto has thrived under baserunning coach Antoan Richardson, going 18-for-19 on baserunning with 1 baserunning run created, per Statcast, while his home-to-first times have improved even as sprint speed holds. The on-base game remains Soto’s weapon—he leads the league in walks (89) and sits at a .383 on-base percentage, ninth-best in MLB. Yet the Mets’ run-production has lagged; Lindor, McNeil, Alvarez, and Marte have carried the offense in the gaps, and Soto’s iconic ninth-inning grab of momentum helped break up a no-hitter last week. Richardson’s preparation and communication are lauded, and Soto credits him for comfort and trust in the aggressive baserunning approach. While the offense has stalled at times, the running game has become a genuine weapon for the Mets, a spark that could translate into fantasy value as the team leans further into speed and pressure on the bases.

As the Mets chase runs, Soto’s baserunning becomes more than a novelty—it's a growth driver for fantasy managers. The pairing of Soto’s on-base prowess with his baserunning success creates more scoring opportunities and stolen-base upside, while Lindor’s speed maintains dual-threat potential. The coaching influence from Richardson suggests other Mets could see elevated baserunning opportunities, particularly if matchups and game state favor aggression. In short, the running game is the one element the Mets can rely on as they navigate a rough stretch, and that has real fantasy implications for lineup construction and daily-transaction decisions.