Ozzie Albies Makes Wild Prediction For Braves Season Following Rule Changes

MLB's new rule changes are already having a massive effect on the sport, with the pitch clock in particular dramatically shortening Spring Training games so far. Bigger bases, a limit on pickoff moves and banned defensive shifts are also expected to significantly boost stolen bases and hits once the season starts as well.

The potential impact of those changes may be exaggerated, however, especially by Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies, who has a wild prediction for how they will help the Braves in 2023.

Braves Prediction 2023

Albies thinks Atlanta could have three players hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases this year, which would be unprecedented.

Only four players in baseball history have ever gone 40/40, none of whom did so in the same season or played for the same team. Nobody has done it since Alfonso Soriano in 2006, so it's been a while.

That's because it's incredibly hard to achieve either of those things, let alone both in the same season. Last year only two players reached 40 home runs (Aaron Judge and Kyle Schwarber), neither of whom are known for their speed. Nobody stole 40 bases, with Jorge Mateo leading the way at 35.

Even so, Albies thinks that he, Ronald Acuna Jr. and Michael Harris II could all go 40/40 this year. That's a bold prediction given that none of them have ever done so before, and only Acuna has come close.

Could one of them do it? Maybe. Will all three of them do it? Probably not.