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Earlier than 2023, solely two gamers had hit at the least 30 house runs and stolen 50 or extra bases in a season — Cincinnati’s Eric Davis in 1987 and Pittsburgh’s Barry Bonds in 1990. Final season, Atlanta’s Ronald Acuna Jr. added his identify to the record, and going into September, it appeared like Kansas Metropolis’s Bobby Witt Jr. had an opportunity to affix the unique membership, too.
By the top of August, Witt had 27 homers and 38 stolen bases. By Sept. 18, he had hit two extra dingers and swiped 10 extra bases, placing him one house run and two stolen bases away from the 30/50 membership.
On the time, the Royals have been wrapping up a dismal 106-loss season and did not have a lot to play for, and there wasn’t a lot for Kansas Metropolis followers to be enthusiastic about — besides Witt and the potential of him becoming a member of the 30/50 membership.
All through September, every time Witt reached first base, there was a great probability he was going to take off for second as quickly as doable after reaching first. By mid-month, everybody knew it, together with opponents.
Over the following seven video games, Witt was stalled at 29 house runs and 48 steals. He’d been caught stealing 3 times, and there weren’t many extra video games to go. Then he stole No. 49 in the course of the 159th recreation and hit his thirtieth homer a day later. He had two extra video games to steal that elusive fiftieth base.
It wasn’t meant to be. He singled within the 161st recreation and promptly acquired thrown out in an try and steal second. Within the remaining recreation of the season, he tripled and singled, however was once more caught attempting to swipe his fiftieth base. Season over. Witt missed out on becoming a member of the unique 50/30 membership by one stolen base.
The results of that is that regardless of stealing 49 bases, Witt additionally led the American League with 15 caught stealing attempts. Six of these 15 got here in September and 5 of these got here throughout these final 11 video games of the season, when everybody watching the video games knew he was operating as soon as he acquired to first.
Royals followers shouldn’t be anxious about this stat, and fantasy baseball gamers should not put a number of inventory into it both. Earlier than these final 11 video games, Witt had 48 steals in 58 makes an attempt, good for a wonderful 83 p.c success price. It is most likely extra correct to throw out these final 11 video games when evaluating Witt for 2024, since everybody knew he’d be trying to run.
Witt continues to be going to steal a number of bases and at a excessive share. Per Baseball Savant, he’s the second-fastest player in the majors, behind Elly De La Cruz. He nonetheless completed fourth within the majors in steals. At 23, he is nonetheless a number of years away from his pace being sapped by age.
If you happen to love stolen bases, root for the Royals or relish fantasy baseball, depend on Witt for a excessive variety of steals in 2024 and past. He is younger, quick and performs on a workforce that likes to run. Do not let that league-leading 15 caught stealing quantity idiot you. Witt can be an important base stealer for years to come back.
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