Tracking Ohtani's path to a 50-50 season ... and beyond

3:52 AM UTC

Ever since arriving in the Major Leagues in 2018, has pushed the boundaries of what a single baseball player is capable of doing.

While rehab from an elbow injury is keeping Ohtani off the mound in 2023, the Dodgers DH is finding other ways to continue that trend. One year after Atlanta's established the 40-70 Club, Ohtani is on the way to making history of his own by smashing home runs and swiping bases at a blistering pace. The 30-year-old already reached the previously elusive 40-40 mark faster than any other player, and he hasn't stopped there. On Aug. 30, he became the first player to get to at least 43-43 in a season.

So how high can Ohtani go? Here's a look at his HR-SB pace and potential context.

Ohtani through 142 team games: 45 HR, 46 SB

PACE: 51 HR, 52 SB

LAST GAME: Saturday vs. CLE (0 HR, 0 SB)

NEXT GAME: Sunday vs. CLE (RHP Tanner Bibee)

40-40 seasons in MLB history

  • 2024 -- Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers): 45 HR, 46 SB
  • 2023 -- Ronald Acuña Jr. (Braves): 41 HR, 73 SB
  • 2006 -- Alfonso Soriano (Nationals): 41 HR, 46 SB
  • 1998 -- Alex Rodriguez (Mariners): 42 HR, 46 SB
  • 1996 -- Barry Bonds (Giants): 42 HR, 40 SB
  • 1988 -- Jose Canseco (A's): 42 HR, 40 SB

Ohtani is second in MLB in both home runs and stolen bases. The only players to finish a season top-two in MLB in both are 1909 Ty Cobb and 1908 Honus Wagner.