Shohei Ohtani 50-50 Odds: Can Ohtani Reach The 50-50 Club?

Shohei Ohtani seems to make history every time he steps to the plate. But, will Ohtani enter the uncharted 50-50 club this season?

I’ll break down if Ohtani can become the first player to ever hit 50 homers and steal 50 bases in the same season below and his odds to do so:

Ohtani’s Odds To Join 50-50 Club

Ohtani currently leads the National League with 41 homers and has 40 stolen bases to boot. With 31 games still to go, the Dodgers superstar is on pace for 50.7 homers and 49.5 stolen bases.

I’m actually less concerned about the swiped bags for Ohtani, though. He’s rocking a .378 on-base percentage, which means he’s got plenty of opportunity to get on base and run free. If Ohtani wants to get to 50 SBs, he can force the issue in the final few weeks of the season and run wild.

The homers are less in his control, but I still think it’s doable. The Dodgers have the eighth-easiest remaining schedule in baseball, including six games against the Colorado Rockies. The Rockies have allowed the most homers in the National League this year (175), 15 more against than any other pitching staff in the NL. If Ohtani can feast on those soft matchups, he can add 10 more homers this year, at least.

It's not like Ohtani and the Dodgers have nothing to motivate them down the stretch, either. Los Angeles is only a few games up on the DBacks and Padres in the NL West, meaning Ohtani will have to stay strong in September to keep his team at the top of World Series odds.

As long as Ohtani stays healthy, I think he’s got a legit shot at the 50-50 club — at least better than the 36.36% shot these +175 odds imply. I’m betting on him to get there.

Has Anyone Ever Hit 50 Homers and Stolen 50 bases?

Two players in baseball history have reached 50 stolen bases and 50 homers in separate seasons: Barry Bonds and Brady Anderson. But, no player has ever done it in the same campaign.

If Ohtani gets to 50 HRs and 50 SBs this year, he’ll be the first player to ever do it. He’s already made some significant history by reaching 40-40 and now set a new record as the only player in MLB history to join the 50-50 club.

MLB’s 40-40 Club

With baseball’s bigger bases and new rules, reaching 40-40 is easier than ever. But, it doesn’t make the 40-40 club any less exclusive. Ohtani became the sixth player ever to reach the 40-40 club this season:

There’s actually another player who has a shot at history this year, as Guardians slugger Jose Ramirez sits with 33 HR and 32 SB as of August 27th. He’s got +130 odds to reach the 40-40 club right now.