Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani has drawn loads of consideration for his 40-40 season.
Ohtani grew to become the sixth member of the 40-40 membership, doing so quicker than anybody else in MLB historical past. His fortieth homer was not solely a walk-off for the Dodgers, it was a game-winning grand slam. He’s nicely on his approach to changing into the primary 50-50 participant in MLB historical past, a feat that underscores how particular of a expertise he’s.
Ohtani is just not the one participant that would be a part of the 40-40 membership this season, nonetheless. Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez has posted a .275/.332/.531 batting line in his 580 plate appearances coming into Monday, hitting 34 homers and 31 doubles whereas stealing 34 bases. He’s on tempo to hit precisely 40 homers and steal 40 bases, which might make him the seventh member of the 40-40 membership.
It isn’t simply Ohtani who has stolen Ramirez’s shine. Yankees outfielder Aaron Decide is chasing down one other 60 homer season. Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. can also be placing collectively a dynamic all-around season and is a major a part of why the Royals are in playoff rivalry. Pink Sox outfielder Jarren Duran, Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson and Yankees outfielder Juan Soto are commanding loads of consideration. Ramirez, regardless of his spectacular efficiency, might not end within the high 5 within the AL MVP vote.
That is nothing new for Ramirez. Fivethirtyeight.com referred to as him “baseball’s least appreciated celebrity” again in 2022. That is nonetheless the case in 2024 because the perennial All-Star has quietly put collectively one other spectacular efficiency. Ramirez has been the most important piece of the Guardians’ success in 2024. A 40-40 season could also be what it takes for Ramirez to get his due.
