One of the more overlooked aspects of Shohei Ohtani's greatness is how dangerous he is on the base paths. Ohtani's home-run prowess (MLB-best 42 round-trippers this season) and ability to attack hitters with his patented triple-digit fastball are both well-documented, but were you also aware the 27-year-old is tied for sixth in the majors with 22 steals? This season, Ohtani ranks a respectable 65th in MLB (that puts him in the 88th-percentile) with an average sprint speed of 28.8 feet per second, which is faster than Andrew McCutchen, Whit Merrifield, Javy Baez, Brett Gardner, George Springer and even Milwaukee's Christian Yelich, who swiped 30 bags as recently as 2019.
Ohtani's wheels were on full display Tuesday against the Yankees when the Angels phenom stole home—one of two thefts on the night for the likely AL MVP—on a delayed double steal.
For a moment, it looked like shortstop Gio Urshela had Ohtani dead to rights, but credit to the Japanese slugger for eluding Gary Sanchez's tag at home plate. That run proved critical as the Angels would hold on to win by a 6-4 final margin, extending the Bombers' losing streak to four. Prior to that, the Yankees, who trail division-leading Tampa Bay by eight games in the American League East, had won 13 straight.
Ohtani had been scheduled to pitch Tuesday but instead the Halos ace, who is still dealing with lingering soreness in his right wrist after being struck by a pitch over the weekend, was limited to DHing.
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