Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani Could Become First MLB Player to Reach 45-45 Season

Shohei Ohtani has been dealing with some of the typical ups and downs of a Major League Baseball season recently, but he inched closer to a historic season Sunday.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have never had a player hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases in a single season in franchise history — which dates to 1890 in the National League.

While some have come close, none has ever achieved the rare feat. If he keeps going, Ohtani could be the first Dodger ever to have a 45-45 season.

Ohtani swatted home runs No. 38 and 39 over the weekend, both at Busch Stadium against the St. Louis Cardinals.

“It was an offspeed at the heart of the plate, so it was something I was able to handle,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton about Saturday’s’ blast. “I do want to improve the other at-bats, just overall quality.”

Entering Saturday, Ohtani had a .164 batting average and 14 strikeouts in 14 games this month. In the past two games, he has gone 2-for-8 with two home runs.

Despite the struggles, Ohtani has hit eight homers during August.

Part of those struggles, according to the Japanese slugger, is because his mechanics are “a little off” right now at the plate.

“I think having the right posture when I’m looking at the pitcher is something that’s really important,” Ohtani said . “I feel like it’s a little off. But in the meantime, when things are off, there’s also something I can make up for by having a better approach at the plate.”

Saturday’s fifth-inning shot gave the designated hitter at least one home run against all 30 teams becoming one of just 19 active players to achieve the feat.

Ohtani also stole two bases during that game for Nos. 36 and 37 on the year. The contest was his seventh game this season with multiple stolen bags.

Only five players in the history of Major League Baseball have achieved a 40-40 season. Barring any type of catastrophe, he is guaranteed to become the sixth.

What sets him apart from the others will be how quickly he reaches the rarified air. He has played in 122 games so far this season and the fastest any player has ever reached the 40-40 club was Alfonso Soriano, who did it in 147.

Ohtani and the Dodgers return home on Monday and open a nine-game homestand against the Seattle Mariners.

Photo Credit: Joe Puetz-USA TODAY Sports

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