Peculiar leadoff position related to the concept of a “baseline”

Scenario:

Runner on 3rd and the batter draws a walk. When he takes his leadoff, he heads to short right field about 15 feet off of the 1B foul line. He then steals second by running in a straight path to 2B upon the delivery of the next pitch.

My initial thoughts:

• What and the actual heck? I understand that the idea behind establishing a baseline doesn’t exist until an attempt is made on the runner, but this is just an abuse of a lack of a better rule, in my opinion.
• I get the idea behind instructing a player to do this in the given situation…the runner leading off in right field is an easy target, but in order to get him out you are asking your players to work further away from home plate, thus allowing the runner on 3B to score more easily.

Solutions/Thoughts?

How would you defend this, given the circumstances? What is your take on this “strategy”? Again, I understand that it might be allowed within the rules of the game, but why employ such a gimmicky tactic? It comes across as childish and “I’m smarter than you!”. I’d love to hear what others think.