Shohei Ohtani or Otani? Which is it?

Shohei Ohtani is the hottest free agent during the 2017-18 MLB free agency period. So, you might want to know the correct way to spell his name.

Shohei Ohtani (or is it Otani?) is now the top commodity in the 2017 MLB free agency market, the hottest new player since Bryce Harper‘s ascension into the spotlight in 2010.

Recently, the worldwide sensation officially announced that he’s coming to America Eddie Murphy style, which means he will play in the MLB ( or at least it’s minor league system) in 2018.

Now, this might seem silly and petty, but how do you correctly spell his name? I’m sure you all, like me, have seen two renditions of it floating around on the world wide web — “Ohtani” and “Otani.”

SHOHEI OHTANI BOASTS A HIGHER STRIKEOUT RATE THAN CLAYTON KERSHAW AND BETTER HOME RUN RATE THAN BRYCE HARPER. THE QUESTION NOW IS: WHICH BIG LEAGUE TEAM WILL LET HIM PLAY BOTH WAYS?

So, which is it? Technically both are correct, but like many multiple choice tests, there is one answer which trumps all the other “right” answers.

According to the CAA Sports, his agency representation, the actual spelling of his name is… Drum roll, please… Ohtani. We’ve got a winner!

"His name is Ohtani, not Otani… That is what Ohtani wears on his jersey in Japan."

What’s the big deal about Shohei Ohtani anyway? Why is there such a buzz circulating around the 2017 MLB free agency wire?

Shohei Ohtani is known as “Japan’s Babe Ruth” due to his thunderous bat and rocket for an arm.

Shohei Ohtani i, in Japan, slashed .326/.411/.570 scoring 89 runs, gaping 34 doubles, blistering 30 home runs, driving in 98 runs, while snagging seven stolen bases in his few seasons in Japan.

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MLB teams that have the most cash to throw Ohtani’s way:

• Texas Rangers: $3,535,000
• New York Yankees: $3,250,000
• Minnesota Twins: $3,245,000
• Pittsburgh Pirates $2,266,750
• Miami Marlins $1,740,000
• Seattle Mariners: $1,570,500
• Philadelphia Phillies: $900,000
• Milwaukee Brewers: $765,000
• Arizona Diamondbacks:$731,250
• Baltimore Orioles: $660,000
• Boston Red Sox: $462,000
• Tampa Bay Rays: $440,500

Unfortunately for us U.S. baseball fans, he had an ankle injury which sidelined the rising star from cleating up during the World Baseball Classic.

But, soon enough, the whole globe will know of his specific set of skills, which will be on full display on the biggest stage, under the bright lights of Sunday Night baseball and beyond.

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So, if you want to be ahead of the curve, make sure you have “Shohei Ohtani” engraved in your head, and not “Otani.”

You can only hope that the 2017 MLB Free agency season is kind to you and that your favorite team targets him this offseason.