"It's like Beyoncé is a Michelin three-star chef."
This is an accurate description that summarizes this season of Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers. This season, when Ohtani is producing stolen bases with tremendous slugging power that can match the probability that a world-class pop star will become one of the world's best chefs at the same time, is turning the baseball world upside down.
In 153 games this season, Ohtani has been enjoying a monstrous season with a batting average of 0.301, 53 homers, 123 RBIs, 128 steals, 55 steals, and 1.023 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS). He was not expected to be able to play as a pitcher even before the season due to his elbow injury, but no one expected his performance to be this remarkable.
Ohtani ranks first in home runs, RBIs, runs scored and slugging percentage in the National League, but the most surprising thing is the number of stolen bases. No one expected Ohtani to steal nearly 60 bases.
The Washington Post, a U.S. media outlet, praised Ohtani for this season on the 24th (Korea time), expressing admiration for his record of 53 home runs and 55 steals, saying, "It's like Beyonce is a three-star Michelin chef."
The Los Angeles Times highlighted Ohtani's incredible steal pace on Saturday. "Otani, who only stole 16 bases through June, has since made a very special season," it said.
The record was unexpected in the early days of the season. Ohtani, who stole second base in the opening game, said he needed three weeks to steal second base, introducing Dodgers' first-base coach Clayton McCullough's remarks that "it was a new team, a new kind of lineup for him early in the season, and he seems to have walked his way slowly."
Ohtani, who wore a Dodgers uniform with an astronomical 10-year contract worth 700 million U.S. dollars (930.3 billion won) ahead of this season, couldn't play as a pitcher but thought about what he could do. He found what he could do not only with explosive power but also with the base, and thought stealing was one of the things to increase offensive productivity, so he conveyed his desire to steal to the coaches. With the help of the staff, he corrected the law and prepared for more stolen bases.
However, the team failed to produce any notable results until mid-season. Otani started stealing five times through April, but only made 16 times through June. He seemed unsure even about his team's 30-30. "I think it was a period of time where I felt (about stealing)," McCullough said. "It was like thinking, 'I want to be safe if I want to play.'"
Fortunately, a critical moment came. Mookie Betts, the Dodgers' top hitter, left due to a hand injury, and Ohtani became the new No. 1 hitter. Since then, he has taken the second place in stolen bases with 12 in July, 15 in August and 12 in September. Since July, he has stolen bases 39 times in 69 games and failed only two times.
"Ohtani realized how great he became or could be," manager Dave Roberts said. "He has a sense of duty. It's hard to imagine that he can concentrate so much during this period."
"In July and August, I think he stole every time he got on base. And he did it very safely," McCullough said.
With Ohtani's tremendous steal streak, Ohtani is close to winning the third MVP award in the big league and even taking the stage in fall baseball, which he dreamed of. "The postseason is more important," Ohtani said. "If I can steal, I think it will be better for my team as well."
"His strength and agility are outstanding, and he is truly powerful," Dodgers Special Adviser Ron Roenicke said. "I am confident that you can see this only in the NFL. In baseball, you don't often see players with such speed and power."
The media emphasized that when to run and how to timing is very important not only physical but also "brain intelligence." McCullough, who played a key role, delivered scouting reports on the opponent's pitcher's tendencies in each series match, and Ohtani began to learn about stealing on his own based on this.
"He likes the challenge of studying pitchers and learning tendencies," Roberts said. "I think that's what interests him."토토사이트
The team also said it had never instructed Ohtani. "It's not that we told him to play more aggressively," McCullough said. However, Ohtani himself has learned about stealing and has become more aggressive based on this.
Ohtani has not stolen base since July 24. "I didn't think Ohtani was a great base stealer for the past few years," Roberts said. "Now, however, when I see him in the dugout, I can see pitchers and runners well, and his stolen base is accurate."
Of course, the Los Angeles Times reported that his chances of reaching 60-60 are low. Still, he has realized that he will be able to have a really special season, Roberts said. "And what makes it a little more special and unique is to add more stolen bases."