Shohei Ohtani: A Great Ball Player
In 2018, the Los Angeles Angels signed yet another star player. This player, nicknamed “sho-time” was born on July 5, 1994, in Oshu, Japan and his name is Shohei Ohtani. Earning himself the AL rookie of the year award in 2018 at 23 years old with a batting average of .285, an on-base percentage of .291, and hit 59 home runs with only 326 at-bats as a young rookie, Ohtani was already making a name for himself.
When being compared to the 2018 NL rookie of the year, Ronald Acuña Jr., their stats differ but not by much. In 2018, Acuña had a batting average of .293, an OBP of .366, and hit 78 home runs in only 433 at-bats. Both these players are considered once in a generation. Both five-tool players are capable of changing the tide of a game at any moment. However, despite Acuña’s excellence, Ohtani is taking the league by storm. Of course, there are better players in the MLB who have better stats but Ohtani is different.
Ohtani is a rare type of pitcher who throws an average 97 mph fastball and simultaneously excels at the DH spot. Hitting already 26 home runs that are 4 more than Mike Trout at writing this article. Another pitcher who comes to mind when I think of a great pitcher who can also hit dingers on command is Zack Greinke. In 2019, Greinke had an OPS .888. Greinke was very vocal about his desire to hit and even claimed to hit to be “easy.” Although he does not frequent the plate as much, Greinke is a great example who at the time was a young and exciting player. A guy who can make headlines after every game. I believe Ohtani is exactly what baseball needs…another young and exciting player who is not afraid to be good at the game. Ohtani and all the other players mentioned is why baseball is fun. You get excited when players such as when these young players step up to the plate. It makes your heartbeat, your veins pump with adrenaline, and you become encapsulated into the game. Baseball should be fun. All of these unwritten rules and potential new regulations that may be enforced in the future, such as moving the pitcher’s mound back one foot, may seem necessary, but why change the game we all enjoy. MLB and baseball as a whole are nowhere near the support, viewership, and publicity that the NBA and NFL receive.
To close, the harsh reality is one of the few things the MLB has going for them is their young stars. Ohtani, along with several other amazing players, is what keeps the league alive, increases ratings, and makes baseball more enjoyable. Ohtani is truly a once-in-a-generation talent and I hope he continues to prosper. He deserves it and as baseball fans, we deserve to be excited about his current and future success.