After more than 2,000 PAs, 'Agui Hamilton' finally swipes a bag!

July 6th, 2022

MIAMI -- There’s a saying that every time you go to the ballpark, you’ll witness something you haven’t seen before. Such was the case on Tuesday night, when Marlins first baseman stole a base for the first time in his MLB career during Miami's 2-1 win over Los Angeles.

Aguilar, who debuted on May 15, 2014, entered the game with 2,331 plate appearances without a steal -- the most among active big leaguers. Second was Brewers catcher Omar Narváez at 1,963. Aguilar last stole a base during the 2014-15 Venezuelan Winter League.

“I was telling the umpire, ‘You don't even have to call it,’” Aguilar said. “It was easy safe. Plenty of time to get there. Finally I got it after six years in The Show.”

After reaching on a throwing error that put runners at the corners with one out in the first inning, Aguilar bolted for second on Noah Syndergaard's 0-2 offering. Avisaíl García swung through the 84.8 mph slider, and Aguilar beat Max Stassi's 75.6 mph throw to the left of second base.

The Statcast numbers were as follows:

  • 9.9 feet primary lead
  • 23.7 feet secondary lead
  • 25.6 ft/sec sprint speed
  • First-to-second steal in 4.25 seconds

The 32-year-old Aguilar capitalized on Syndergaard’s inability to hold runners. Entering Tuesday, he had allowed 159 stolen bases since 2015 (his first year), 30 more than any other pitcher.

“I was asking [first-base coach Keith Johnson], ‘Let me go,’ and he just said, ‘Yes,’” Aguilar said. “‘Are you serious?’ And I just go. It was an offspeed pitch, it was a slow pitch. I think that's why I got it.”

Added manager Don Mattingly: “[The light]’s always a little yellow.”

Aguilar, who has since given himself the nickname “Agui Hamilton,” in reference to speedy teammate Billy Hamilton, didn’t plan on asking for the base as a keepsake.

“I don't need it,” Aguilar said. “I think I'm going to go a couple more times.”