At this point in time, it is fair to wonder what Shohei Ohtani cannot do on the diamond. The Los Angeles Angels superstar has not only proven to be an incredible talent in the batter’s box, but he has become their ace as well. He has become the ultimate unicorn, a player whose talent and ability to dominate in all facets has not been seen for generations.
Ohtani added to his list of impressive accomplishments on Wednesday. Essentially the only pitcher that is still picking up the bat in the age of the universal designated hitter, he is one of the few getting to run the bases. He is still doing that with aplomb as Ohtani became the first starting pitcher since Mudcat Grant in 1963 and 1964 to steal a base in a game they started in consecutive seasons.
Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani keeps dazzling
Although he is not hitting at the same rate he was last year, Ohtani is beginning to heat up in the batter’s box. He has produced a solid .258/.317/.445 batting line in his 139 plate appearances, hitting six homers and six doubles while stealing five bases. Despite that production being under last season’s incredible display, he still has a 128 OPS+, a mark that is all the more incredible considering his place in the Angels’ rotation.
He is also more than holding his own on the mound. Ohtani has a 2.78 ERA and a 0.959 WHiP in his 32.1 innings, striking out 46 batters while issuing just seven walks. Considering how command issues had plagued him at times, his strikeout to walk rate is remarkable.
There is the potential for history to be made every time Ohtani steps on the mound. He seemingly makes the impossible possible, a player that almost should not be in this day and age. The fact that he makes it seem easy just further adds to his legend.
Shohei Ohtani made history again on Wednesday. That is almost a weekly occurrence for the Los Angeles Angels star at this point.