Shohei Ohtani’s first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers goes nearly in addition to anybody might have anticipated, and his constant dominance on the plate has been a driving drive for a group that has been decimated by accidents to each its pitching workers and its lineup.
He’s the present betting favourite to develop into the primary designated hitter to win an MVP award, and it’s due to a historic tempo that has him projected to be the primary participant to perform a formidable statistical feat.
The Athletic identified how Ohtani is on tempo to develop into the primary participant in MLB historical past to hit 45 house runs and steal 45 bases in the identical season, with Fabian Ardaya writing, “He’s making an attempt to dominate on each margin” in a current article.
Shohei Ohtani is on tempo to develop into the primary participant in MLB historical past to have a 45-45 season.
“He’s making an attempt to dominate on each margin.”@FabianArdaya examines Ohtani remaking himself as a base stealer ⤵️https://t.co/4KF6Vt1fh8 pic.twitter.com/1hllFEJxEd
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) August 16, 2024
Ardaya added, “The ability was a given. The pace was coming. And even in a 12 months the place Shohei Ohtani’s not pitching, his assault on the document guide continues.”
Solely 5 gamers in MLB historical past are within the 40-40 membership: Jose Canseco, Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Alfonso Soriano and Ronald Acuna Jr.
Rodriguez’s 46 steals in 1998, Soriano’s 46 homers in 2006, and Acuna’s 73 steals in 2023 had been the one situations of a participant placing up greater than 45 homers or steals in a 40-40 season, as all 5 gamers cleared the 40-40 mark simply barely in a minimum of one of many two classes.
Ohtani is presently on tempo for 49 homers and 46 steals, so attending to 40-40 must be straightforward at his present tempo.
If he actually pushes it, he has a official shot at changing into the primary participant within the 50-50 membership.