A player with the rare ability to serve as both a pitcher and a designated hitter is making history in the MLB. Shohei Ohtani, a 23-year-old from Japan, recently made his professional debut in the league. Playing for the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani has disrupted baseball with his unique talents.
During spring training, analysts believed that Ohtani could not perform both roles successfully. Originally considered a better prospect for pitching than hitting, his lackluster debut as a pitcher disappointed Angels fans. Critics began to wonder if he should focus solely on hitting. Some scouts even questioned whether Ohtani was ready for the major leagues.
However, since making his debut on March 29, Ohtani’s performance has silenced critics. He has already accomplished several feats, like becoming only the third person in MLB history to achieve two pitching wins and three homeruns in his first 10 games. Additionally, he became only the 14th MLB player to pitch at least 12 strikeouts in one of his first two starts.
Ohtani’s dual-role skills put him in unique company. Since his debut, he has garnered comparisons to the best two-way player of all time, Babe Ruth. Ohtani has been called the “modern day Babe Ruth.” However, Ruth never accomplished several of Ohtani’s triumphs.
Angels manager Mike Scioscia describes Ohtani as mature beyond his age. “He’s been challenged at a young age, so he’s seasoned to what a lot of players have to get acclimated to,” Scioscia told reporters before the Angels game on April 8. “He’s been playing at a very high level of baseball from a very young age.”
Prior to pursuing a career in the MLB, Ohtani played professionally in Japan for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. He spent five seasons with the Fighters before signing a contract with the Angels as an international free agent. The Angels had to pay a $20 million posting fee to the Fighters to sign Ohtani.
Ohtani has made history with a highly impressive and unique start. However, his legacy will be determined by how he performs for the rest of the season and his career.
Martin Maldonado, a catcher for the Angels, marveled at Ohtani’s abilities during an interview with the Washington Post. “He never looks like he’s out of place,” Maldonado said. “He looks like a hitter when he’s batting and looks like a pitcher when he’s pitching. It’s impressive. We haven’t seen that before.’’
Analysts are already examining the possibility of Ohtani being voted MVP. The Baseball Writer’s Association of America has only voted in 20 pitchers as MVP since 1931. If Ohtani continues his performance, he could become the 21st.