Ohtani’s Base Stealing Prowess: McCullough Says He Raised…

Shohei Ohtani enjoyed a historic first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers that ended with the two-way star participating in the playoffs for the first time in his career and ultimately winning the World Series.

Ohtani was limited to being an offensive player in 2024 after undergoing right elbow surgery last year but still turned in one of the most impressive individual seasons in MLB history.

The 30-year-old batted .310/.390/.646 with a career-high 54 home runs, 130 RBI and 134 runs scored in 159 games. He also stole 59 bases, which helped him become the first player to join the 50-50 club.

During an appearance on MLB Network, former Dodgers first base coach and new Miami Marlins manager Clayton McCullough explained how Ohtani focused on improving at stealing bases this year:

“I got the sense during Spring Training that Shohei, this past season only really focusing as an offensive player, he had more of an interest and willingness to push the limits some on the base stealing. Just tried to develop a rapport with him and came to find out this guy is just a baseball rat. He enjoyed watching video. I think I would just try to do my best to unearth some things for him, bring it to light, and it felt like a partnership as that season progressed.

“He put in a lot of legwork and I’ll say this guy helped me become a far better coach than I know I helped Shohei become a better player. I enjoyed the time watching video, listening to his perspective as a pitcher and the unique side of looking at how guys’ bodies moves, ticks, tells to alert you to a type of delivery or pickoff move. So he was a really fun partner last season and he deserves all the credit for the year he had.”

Ohtani’s 59 stolen bases was behind only the Cincinnati Reds’ Elly De La Cruz, who swiped 67 bags during the 2024 season. However, Ohtani was thrown out only four times in comparison to De La Cruz’s 16.

Ohtani was one of the best baserunners in general as he posted 9.8 base running runs above average. That trailed only the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Corbin Carroll, who had 11.1 base running runs above average.

Ohtani’s ability to take extra bases established the Dodgers as one of the best offenses in baseball this year as they scored 842 runs, which trailed only the Diamondbacks’ 886.

Ohtani began the 2024 season as the team’s No. 2 hitter but was moved to the leadoff spot of the Dodgers lineup in June, which seemingly helped unlock even more potential.

Dodgers benefitting financially from Shohei Ohtani

When the Dodgers signed Ohtani to a 10-year, $700 million contract last offseason it represented the largest deal for an athlete in professional sports history.

However, the expectation was that the Dodgers would receive a big return on their investment due to Ohtani’s popularity, sponsorships and other business opportunities.

Former big leaguer A. J. Pierzynski recently shared that Ohtani’s presence alone helped the Dodgers make $120 million during the 2024 season.