Shohei Otani cheers with his colleagues. /AFP Yonhap News
When Shohei Ohtani (30, LA Dodgers), a Japanese baseball genius, created a syndrome as a pitcher in MLB (US Professional Baseball), this curiosity spread among fans. “What happens if he only focuses on one thing?” This wish unexpectedly became a reality as Ohtani underwent right elbow ligament fusion surgery last September and declared a ‘hiatus’ as a pitcher for the 2024 season.
Ohtani, who focuses on batting, is powerful. Ohtani appeared as a designated hitter twice in the MLB home game against the Atlanta Braves (Dodger Stadium, California, USA) on the 6th and performed well with 4 hits in 4 at-bats (2 home runs), 3 RBI, and 2 runs . In his first at-bat, he hit a 125m long 2-pointer up the middle, and after scoring consecutive hits, he went over the middle wall again in his last at-bat, highlighting his ‘firepower show’. In particular, the last home run had a distance of 141 meters, which was the longest home run hit by Ohtani this season. Of the five hits the team recorded that day, four were attributed to Ohtani. The Dodgers won 5-1 and held first place in the National League Western Division (23 wins, 13 losses, 0.639 winning percentage). Ohtani said, “Our team is performing well overall,” and “I think that’s why I can swing the bat with more confidence at the plate.”
Shohei Ohtani hits his 10th home run of the season. /USA Today Yonhap News
Ohtani’s detailed batting indicators are second to none. His batting average was 0.364 (52 hits in 143 at-bats). He currently has 10 home runs, 25 RBI, and 7 stolen bases. He ranks first in MLB in hits, doubles (14), home runs, batting average, slugging percentage (0.685), and OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage of 1.111). He shows strong performance whether he is left-handed (0.328 batting average) or right-handed (0.390). It is no exaggeration to say that he is the hottest hitter in MLB right now. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, “Ohtani is performing like never before. “I hit it regardless of the opposing pitcher or the time of the game,” he said, sticking out his tongue.
Shohei Otani and Teosca Hernández. /AFP Yonhap News
Dodgers fans are excited, with reactions like “Ohtani has to remember he’s a pitcher in rehab” and “Ohtani has started to activate monster mode.” Ohtani, a left-handed batting right-handed pitching player, extends his left arm with force when batting, so there is less stress on his right arm, which makes a pulling motion, so he only appears as a batter this year. He will only be seen playing as a pitcher after 2025.
Ohtani, who has been playing for the LA Angels, a low ranking team, and has never been able to play in the autumn baseball season, is leading the team’s success along with heavy hitters such as Mookie Betts (32) and Freddie Freeman (35). If things continue like this, Ohtani’s dream of winning the World Series could soon become a reality.
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