The Truth About Speed: It’s Not Just Genetics

When players think of speed, they usually picture sprint times, 60-yard dash results, or vertical leaps. But in baseball, speed is only as valuable as the way you use it. It’s not just about how fast your legs can move—it’s about how well you read the game, trust your instincts, and make the right moves at the right time.

I’ve played alongside guys with blazing times who could make a track coach jealous—but they rarely stole a base. Why? They never learned how to read a pitcher’s move, how to create pressure with a big lead, or how to trust their first step. All the athleticism in the world won’t help you if you don’t know when and how to go.

That’s where usable speed comes in. I’ve worked with players who weren’t naturally quick, but they became real base-stealing threats by studying pitchers, practicing leads and secondary leads, and learning how to time their breaks. They knew the pitcher’s habits before the pitcher even threw the ball. They weren’t guessing—they were prepared.

Usable speed is a skill you can train. It comes from reps, from watching games with a purpose, from asking questions, and from putting yourself in situations where you have to make quick reads under pressure. It’s about pairing your physical ability—whatever level that may be—with a fearless mindset.

So if you’re not the fastest kid on the team, don’t count yourself out. Learn to be aggressive. Learn to be smart. Learn to turn every base into an opportunity. You might be surprised how “fast” you really are when your brain and body are working together.