Shohei Ohtani’s days as a big base stealer may not extend past this season

TOKYO — Home run hitters seldom steal bases. Most power hitters are big, strong and rather slow-footed, unlike Shohei Ohtani who put together an historic regular season in 2024 in becoming the first member of the 50/50 club. He finished with 54 homers and 59 stolen bases and all but guaranteed he’ll be the first full-time designated hitter to win an MVP.

It was Ohtani’s decision to become a base stealer in 2024 to take advantage of his great footspeed and to compensate for being unable to pitch this season while recovering from arm surgery. Some consider him a baseball genius in this regard.