Pasquantino flashes '18-wheeler' speed on first steal

CLEVELAND -- Vinnie Pasquantino’s first career stolen base is going to Cooperstown.

No, really.

First, some context. The second base from Monday’s Royals-Guardians game at Progressive Field is headed to the Baseball Hall of Fame because it was Bobby Witt Jr.’s 30th stolen base of the season, making Witt the fifth player in the last 49 years aged 22 or younger with 20-plus homers and 30-plus stolen bases -- and just the second rookie ever with 20-plus homers, 30-plus doubles and 30-plus stolen bases.

Moments later, that bag also became Pasquantino’s first steal of his career.

“It’s going for me,” Pasquantino quipped Tuesday. “It’s probably going to say, ‘Pasquantino’s first stolen base,’ and underneath it, maybe something about Bobby. As asterisk.”

Pasquantino’s first career stolen base was a big moment for the Royals' rookie first baseman. He has been trying to get the green light from manager Mike Matheny every time he’s reached first base since his debut back in June. He was 9-for-10 in stolen bases in the Minor Leagues, after all.

“They do forget about him,” Matheny said about the 6-foot-4, 225-pound slugger.

That brings us to Monday. The Royals had taken a 2-1 lead after Michael Massey scored Witt on a sacrifice fly. Pasquantino was on first base after drawing a walk, and Hunter Dozier was at the plate with two outs.

Dozier was down 0-2 against Guardians reliever Cody Morris, and Matheny knew a breaking ball in the dirt was coming.

“I’m thinking, ‘This is 100% a really short ball in the dirt,’” Matheny said. “I’m trying to get Vinnie’s attention. And he’s not even looking. Sure enough, it was one of those blocks where the catcher almost stood up and it hit him right in the sternum. Vinnie would have walked into second base. But he wasn’t looking for whatever reason that time.”

In a 1-2 count, Pasquantino looked at Matheny in the dugout. Matheny nodded. Pasquantino relayed the green light to Royals first base coach Damon Hollins.

“He just gave me the green light,” Pasquantino said to Hollins.

“No, he absolutely did not,” Hollins said.

Dozier fouled off the next two pitches, both fastballs. Matheny knew Morris would go back to that breaking ball.

“Now,” Matheny mouthed to Pasquantino, who again relayed the message to Hollins.

“I’m like, ‘OK, if you’re going to go, go here,’” Hollins said. “Gave him the cue. He still stumbled. I thought he was dead for sure. But he still got a great jump.

“He’s like an 18-wheeler. Once you get up and going, he can’t be stopped.”

It was not the prettiest slide from Pasquantino, but the throw from rookie catcher Bo Naylor was short of the bag and second baseman Andres Giménez’s glove.

“He wanted to pick up the bag like it was the most stolen bases in league history,” Hollins said.

A stolen base is a stolen base.

“I’ve been showing off my versatility as of late,” Pasquantino said. “With my speed. I’ve been taking a lot of lessons with Nate [Eaton], who, as we know, is one of the fastest guys in the league. So I’ve really just been trying to learn from him. I am trying to be a threat in all ways possible. Expanding my game. Sharpening every tool in the toolbox.

“So I took off. History. Now that base is on its way to the Hall of Fame.”

Shortly after Pasquantino was interviewed about his stolen base, he made his way to the trainer’s room, where he wanted to get fitted for “an oven mitt” -- the sliding mitt baserunners wear to prevent injuries when sliding into bases.

“You never know,” Pasquantino said. “The cat’s out of the bag now. I probably will expect a pickoff or two when I’m over there.”

The Royals have two games left this year, including Tuesday. Pasquantino will likely end his rookie season 1-for-1 in stolen bases.

But there’s always a chance.

“He’s going to keep looking at me now,” Hollins said. “He thinks he’s a running threat now. I’m going to get him out there for some pregame work and we’ll see what he says then. We’re 1-for-1. Let’s leave it at that.”