Joc Pederson Becomes First 30-30 Club Member In The Modern Era Of The Pacific Coast League

Albuquerque Isotopes outfielder Joc Pederson stole his 30th base of the season Saturday night to record the first 30-30 season in the modern era of the Pacific Coast League. He currently has 32 home runs and 30 stolen bases.

The 22-year-old phenom swiped his 30th base in sixth inning of Saturday night's game at Colorado Springs. He walked with one out in the inning, and after a pitching change, stole second on the first pitch to Tim Federowicz. Sky Sox catcher Dustin Garneau didn't even attempt a throw after Pederson got such a good jump.

Pederson's 30th home run came off right-handed pitcher Donovan Hand of the Nashville Sounds in the third inning on Monday, August 18. It was the second of back-to-back homers after fellow outfielder Mike Baxter provided the first.

Earlier this season, Pederson became the 45th player in the history of the PCL to record a 20-20 season when he mashed his 20th homer on July 23. He was the first player to reach that plateau since 2009 when Terry Evans hit 26 long balls and stole 28 bases with the Salt Lake Bees.

Ranked the Los Angeles Dodgers' top-overall prospect by Baseball America entering the season, he has recorded three multi-homer games and three multi steal games. He has smashed 18 solo blasts, 10 two-run shots, three three-run homers and a grand slam. Pederson has swiped second base 22 times and third base eight times. He has also stolen a base and homered in the same game six times, including the Isotopes win Friday night.

The closest any player has come to a 30-30 season in the modern era was Alejandro Sanchez with Phoenix in 1984. He stole 34 bases but came up four home runs shy with 26 blasts on the season.

  Pederson is the fourth player in the entire history of the PCL to hit at least 30 home runs and steal at least 30 bases in the same season. Frank Demaree was the last player to record a 30-30 season in the PCL. He hit 45 home runs and stole 41 bases in 186 games. Lefty O'Doul recorded 33 home runs and 40 steals in 1927. Two years earlier, Tony Lazzeri mashed 60 homers and stole 39 bases in 197 games.

Pederson is the son of former Albuquerque Duke Stu Pederson, who called Albuquerque home in 1983 and from 1985-87.