Ohtani on Track for 40-40 Milestone

Los Angeles Dodgers' two-way star Shohei Ohtani is making headlines this season as he transitions from a dual role of hitting and pitching to focusing on hitting and running while recovering from Tommy John surgery. Recently, Ohtani achieved a personal milestone with the first three-steal game of his career, showcasing his impressive adaptability and skill on the basepaths. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts noted that Ohtani's performance has exceeded expectations, particularly in stolen bases, where he is on track to break the previous designated hitter record of 22 set by Gary Sheffield in 2007. While Ohtani has not explicitly set a goal for a 40-40 season—achieving 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases—he acknowledged that he would be pleased if that outcome materializes. Currently, he is on pace to surpass those numbers, potentially becoming the first player to reach both 45 home runs and 45 stolen bases in a single season. His early success in stealing bases, with five successful attempts in the first month, reflects a newfound focus on this aspect of his game. Roberts emphasized the importance of stolen bases in the context of a pennant race, suggesting that Ohtani's enhanced focus is a natural progression. FanGraphs' metrics indicate that Ohtani is performing better than ever in base running, further solidifying his value to the team. As he continues to refine his skills, Ohtani's commitment to improving his base-stealing ability is evident, with teammates noting his growth in this area.