Los Angeles Angels: Shohei Ohtani matches Babe Ruth
During his time in Nippon Professional Baseball, Shohei Ohtani was referred to as the Japanese Babe Ruth. On Monday, the Los Angeles Angels two way star is set to match a feat last accomplished by the Yankees’ legend.
By hitting his seventh homer of the season, Ohtani took a share of the lead in the American League. Monday, he is set to take the mound for the Angels, becoming the first player to start a game as a pitcher since Ruth himself back in 1921.
Shohei Ohtani will be the #Angels starting pitcher on Monday.
— Matt Birch (@MattBirch12) April 26, 2021
It's been almost exactly 100 years since a player made a pitching start while also leading the Majors in homers:
Babe Ruth led MLB with 19 HR when he started vs. Detroit on June 13, 1921.
(From @EliasSports) https://t.co/7jPRvguCmO
Shohei Ohtani keeps making history with Los Angeles Angels
The Angels have seen flashes of what Ohtani could be over the years. He had two solid seasons with the bat in 2018 and 2019, producing a combined .286/.351/.532 batting line with 40 homers and 22 steals in 792 plate appearances. Ohtani also had a 3.31 ERA and a 1.161 WHiP in 55.1 innings, striking out 63 batters, before undergoing Tommy John surgery that offseason.
light. More Angels. Ohtani finally plays the field
After a difficult 2020 season, Ohtani had changed his offseason routine, looking to improve in all facets. The results have been there at the plate, as he has produced a .286/.321/.662 batting line in his 81 plate appearances, leading the league with seven homers and two triples. While he has drawn only two walks while striking out 24 times, Ohtani has been a force to be reckoned with at the plate.
The same success has not happened on the mound as of yet. While he has allowed just three runs, one earned, on three hits in 8.1 innings, Ohtani has also walked 11 batters. His 14 strikeouts have helped mitigate the damage, but he is walking a tightrope almost every inning.
The Angels obviously hope that keeping Ohtani on a regular pitching schedule will allow him to fulfill his potential on the mound. He is close at the plate, those strikeouts notwithstanding. Once that happens, maybe then he can become the player that he was envisioned to be – the Japanese Babe Ruth.
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Shohei Ohtani has been compared Babe Ruth for years. On Monday, the Los Angeles Angels two way star will match one of his accomplishments on the diamond.