Willians Astudillo provides rare highlight for Miami Marlins

Turtles are not exactly known for their speed. That may have to change when it comes to the Miami Marlins.

Willians Astudillo has provided plenty of humor on the basepaths during his time in the majors. His furious attempts to speed from base to base, only to look as though he is running in slow motion, have provided plenty of entertainment. On Saturday, those exploits on the basepaths provided a different sort of highlight.

Willians Astudillo produces in unexpected way for Miami Marlins

Astudillo accomplished a first in his major league career during the Marlins’ 4-1 victory over the Braves on Saturday. In the top of the fifth inning, the beloved utility man took off for second, stealing the base in his first major league attempt.

It is not as though Astudillo never runs. He did have 45 steals in 65 attempts in the minors, although 27 of those steals came in his first three professional seasons. Astudillo did steal seven bases in Triple-A back in 2018 prior to his major league debut, so that willingness to run had remained.

He has also displayed his ability on the basepaths during his time in the majors. Astudillo has proven to be a smart baserunner, taking that extra base when available. While the highlights tend to focus on the humorous appearance of his running, or his helmet flying off as he chugs to the next base, he does tend to make the right decisions.

That was the case with his first career stolen base attempt as well. He took off for second on a 1-2 curveball, swiping the bag with ease as Jon Berti struck out. While he is not about to challenge Rickey Henderson on the all time steals list, or even Pablo Sandoval for that matter, it would not be a surprise to see Astudillo be opportunistic on the basepaths again in the future.

Willians Astudillo provided an unexpected highlight for the Miami Marlins on Saturday. The beloved utility man stole his first major league base.