Shohei Ohtani’s exceptional performance this season can be highlighted by a striking statistic: although he could not pitch in 2024, he managed to steal nearly 60 bases.
Ohtani has shown moments of speed throughout his career, but his impressive tally of 59 stolen bases this year surpasses his previous best of 26. The former and future MVP clearly made a deliberate effort to disrupt defenses on the bases, as evidenced by this significant increase in steals, which cannot solely be attributed to recent MLB rule changes; he only had 20 steals in 2023, the year the changes were introduced.
This adjustment in strategy has made Ohtani the first player in MLB history to achieve a 50-50 season, putting him in contention for his third MVP award and his first in the National League.
Regarding Ohtani’s speed, he recorded an average sprint speed of 28.1 mph this season, placing him 152nd out of 488 players with at least 25 competitive runs, as per Baseball Savant. While Ohtani possesses above-average speed, it does not match the expectations set by his high number of stolen bases. He falls short of the sprint speed leader Elly De La Cruz, who reached 30 mph, and is closer to the league average of 27 mph.
Despite not being among the fastest players, Ohtani has effectively utilized his opportunities on the bases. He walks frequently, allowing him more chances to steal. His height also provides a slight advantage in base running, although it can sometimes hinder speed. Both Ohtani (6-4) and De La Cruz (6-5) have defied the notion that taller players struggle on the basepaths.
“You don’t expect a guy to be built like that to be able to move how he does,” remarked teammate Gavin Lux in May, reflecting on Ohtani’s remarkable base running skills.
Ironically, having a good instinct for when to take off and how much of a lead to take is crucial, and Ohtani’s impressive 93.7 percent success rate on stolen base attempts showcases his proficiency in these aspects.
In terms of sprint speed in 2024, the fastest players recorded an average as follows, among those with at least 25 competitive runs:
– Bobby Witt Jr. 30.5 mph (Royals, 31 SB)
– Johan Rojas 30.1 mph (Phillies, 25 SB)
– Elly De La Cruz 30.0 mph (Reds, 67 SB)
– Tyler Fitzgerald 30.0 mph (Giants, 17 SB)
– Pete Crow-Armstrong 30.0 mph (Cubs, 27 SB)
– Victor Scott II 30.0 mph (Cardinals, 5 SB)
– Jorge Mateo 29.9 mph (Orioles, 13 SB)
– Jose Siri 29.9 mph (Rays, 14 SB)
– Garrett Hampson 29.8 mph (Royals, 7 SB)
– Jeremy Pena 29.8 mph (Astros, 20 SB)
– Johnny DeLuca 29.8 mph (Rays, 16 SB)
– Wyatt Langford 29.8 mph (Rangers, 19 SB)
Ohtani’s 28.1 mph sprint speed does not place him among the top tier in terms of speed. However, sprint speed does not directly correlate with the total number of stolen bases. Many of the league’s fastest players are often used in part-time roles, as mere speed does not guarantee a spot in the lineup. Others take fewer risks, and star players like Witt may exercise caution to avoid injuries.
Both De La Cruz and Ohtani showcased a style of play this season focused on aggressive base running. The fact that Ohtani achieved 59 stolen bases without elite speed adds to the uniqueness of his accomplishment.