Shohei Ohtani is showing in 2024 he doesn't need to pitch to be dominant.
The Los Angeles Dodgers were only able to deploy Ohtani as a designated hitter this season while he recovers from Tommy John surgery. Without pitching in his arsenal, Ohtani started utilizing another tool in his toolbelt more often. The result was a feat only two players have accomplished in Dodgers history.
Speed is an underrated part of Ohtani's game. He's had more than 20 stolen bases three times in his career, but this season he reached 30 for the first time. He swiped his 30th bag in the ninth inning of Saturday's win over the Oakland Athletics. He snagged his 31st steal moments later.
That steal put him in the 30-30 club for the first time with 33 home runs and 30 stolen bases. He joins Matt Kemp and Raul Mondesi as the only players in Dodgers history with 30-plus homers and 30-plus steals in the same season.
Kemp did it for LA in 2011. That year he fell one homer shy of a 40-40 season, finishing with 39 home runs and 40 stolen bases. Kemp finished No. 2 in the National League Most Valuable Player voting that year.
Mondesi entered the 30-30 club twice during his time with the Dodgers. In 1997 he finished with 30 home runs and 32 stolen bases. In 1999 he cranked 33 homers and swiped 36 bags.
There's a strong chance Ohtani could become the Dodgers' charter member in the 40-40 club. His case to win the NL MVP award is already strong. Reaching the 30-30 mark will help him in that quest. It also helps cement Ohtani's 2024 campaign as one of the best ever by a player wearing a Dodgers uniform.
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