Shohei Ohtani used the Seattle Mariners as Home Run Derby prep and that’s not fair.
Who is Babe Ruth? Isn’t that a candy bar?
Ohtani has handled his massive expectations and then some, mashing his 33rd home run of the season against the Mariners on Friday night. This one went 467 feet with ease.
I’m not sure why, but every home run Ohtani hits looks like he’s holding back some. His swing is just that effortless.
Before the season, I wrote a column asking if it was fair to compare Ohtani’s feats to that of Ruth. Technically, I was right. It’s unfair to Ruth.
Los Angeles Angels: Shohei Ohtani already has AL MVP locked up
Ohtani is not a man capable of jinxing. He has a 3.49 ERA and is the most powerful hitter in all of baseball. He plays every day and is arguably solid enough on the bump to be an ace.
Let’s take a look back at this freezing cold take, from yours truly:
“Shohei Ohtani is a baseball anomaly, at least in the modern age. No MLB player has thrown 100-plus innings and had 200-plus at-bats in the same season since “The Great Bambino” himself, and while Ohtani likely won’t put up those kinds of power numbers, assuming he can stay healthy, that could be similar to what the Los Angeles Angels need from him to realistically make a playoff push.”
Why am I paid to do this, again?
Yes, yes he will put up those kinds of power numbers. By the All-Star Break. Good lord, man.
“The 26-year-old Ohtani has had an impressive spring at the dish, hitting .571 with a .594 on-base percentage, five home runs and 10 RBIs entering Monday’s game. On the mound, it’s been a bit shaky. While Ohtani flashes triple-digit pitch speeds, his control has also been wild at times, and his 7.88 ERA paired with 2.00 WHIP in three starts isn’t necessarily pretty.”
It was spring training, Mark. Give Ohtani some respect.
I was wrong. I’m not alone.