How Good Is Shohei Ohtani Actually?

show Otani show Otani show Otani the star pitcher the star hitter the Superstar baseball player for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim just signed a 10y year 10 year 10 year 10 year 10 year deal with the Los Angeles in a monster $700 million deal am I reading that correctly bro $700 million here it is the largest contract in sports history and he passes Messi it's crazy it's a lot of [Music] money with a Sprint speed of 19.8 mph a 102 mph fastball speed and the ability to hit 119 mph ball Shi Otani is considered to be the best 2-way player in MLB history and what's crazy is that he's getting even better born on July 5th 1994 in OSU iwat Japan OT Connie grew up in a sports-oriented family with his father playing corporate League Baseball and his mother playing badmington he attended hanamaki hiashi's High School in Japan's iates prefecture as an 18-year-old High School pitcher he pitched a 99 m per hour fastball at the Japanese National High School baseball championship also known as the summer koshien Otani made news in 2012 when he declared a desire to play in Major League Baseball in the United States instead of the Japanese professional leagues however after considerable thought and after being told to be trained as a two-way player he decided to begin his professional career in Japan joining the mpb's haidon neon ham Fighters as the League's lone two-way player and it appears he made the right decision his performance on the mound was exceptional in his first few seasons demonstrating his abilities as a pitcher his batting on the other hand initially painted a different picture there were concerns about his ability to contribute successfully in the batting line because he was viewed as a below average hitter and was taken away at bats from real players despite these early appraisals otani's commitment to his dual job began to pay off particularly in the 2016 season which marked a watershed moment for his career on the mound he was outstanding posting a 1.86 ra with 174 strikeouts in just 140 Innings he also threw the fastest pitch in Japanese history clocking in at 102 point . 5 mph but 2016 was more than just a breakout year for Otani as a pitcher his at bat performance improved significantly as well he had a 322 with 22 home runs in 382 plate appearances and his Ops was over a thousand this tremendous development started to erase questions about his batting talents demonstrating that he was more than just a fill in in the lineup otani's peculiar and excellent skill set drew the interest of major league team teams including the likes of the Dodgers Giants and Angels Otani was ready to make the move but there was a major problem he was only 23 at this point of time and had 2 years until he'd be considered a free agent if Otani chose to sign with the US team he would potentially be losing out of millions of dollars however otani's love for the game and desire to compete at the greatest level impacted this decision on December 8th 2017 Otani agreed to a 2-year deal with the loss Angeles Angels for just over $2 million a decision that would eventually lead him to MLB stardom and to redefine what it means to be a two-way player in baseball sh otani's entrance to Major League Baseball in 2018 was met with both excitement and skepticism his choice to join the Los Angeles Angels represented a dramatic departure from Japan's npb where he had already established himself as a fantastic 2A player otani's issue wasn't just adjusting to the higher level of competition in in the MLB it was about establishing that his dual function as a pitcher and batter which is uncommon in the Modern Baseball World was feasible at the top level of the game critics and fans alike questioned if he could recreate his npb success on a larger more heated stage of the MLB initially otani's path to the MLB was fraught with difficulties he had to adjust to new throwing techniques a more rigorous schedule and the enormous pressure of living up to his hype despite these obstacles otani's debut season was nothing short of spectacular he exhibited a rare combination of power at the plate and skill at the mound his versatility and grit shined through as he not only met but went beyond expectations as the American League Rookie of the Year this accomplishment sent a clear message Otani wasn't simply surviving in Major League Baseball he was thriving yet in a Twist otani's meteoric rise faced a significant setback in 2018 when he suffered a torn UCL a common but serious injury for pitchers this led to Otani undergoing Tommy John surgery this was terrible for Otani as it meant he would be shut down for the remainder of the 2018 season and he wouldn't be able to pitch on the mound for the entire 2019 season otani's journey through recovery and his return to Forum would soon become a compelling Testament to his extraordinary character and passion for baseball this resilience not only kept him relevant but set the stage for a remarkable comeback solidifying his status as unique talent in the sport but what exactly makes Otani stand out in the game well here are the two scenarios pitching and batting let's start off with pitching otani's pitching repertoire combines raw power precision and assortment of offerings that keeps the Batters guessing his pitching technique is distinguished by an imposing presence and the ability to deliver High Velocity fast balls mixed in with a variety range of second Ary pitches on a continuous basis Otani consistently utilizes six pitches which makes him a nightmare from the mound his for seam fastball is the foundation of his pitching Arsenal his fast ball averages around 95 to 100 mph and can reach upwards to 102 mph but it's not only about speed it's about the deception and its delivery the velocity along with the relatively smooth and effortless Motion makes it difficult for batters to accurately time their swings when Otani throws his fast balls his sweeper another crucial pitch in his repertoire averages 83.6 mph and has become a favorite of otanis due to its Effectiveness this pitch is distinguished by a pronounced lateral break that often deceives batters into thinking a fast ball before it veers off sharply Otani utilizes a sweeper skillfully against both right-handed and left-handed batters and not only that but Otani constantly mixes in his split Finger Cutter sinker and curveball to constantly keep the Batters guessing his 2023 numbers are impressive with a 304 batting average 44 home runs and an Ops over a th000 he's not just playing this year he's dominating combining both power and finesse at the plate to really comprehend otani's influence let's zoom out and look at his entire career Otani has been a revelation since making his MLB debut in 2018 his lifetime batting average sits around 274 demonstrating his consistency at the plate his home runs which are in the hundreds demonstrate his power hitting ability and his career Ops which combines on base and slugging percentages it's consistently among the top demonstrating his total offensive impact his 2021 campaign came with a historic High Point Otani achieved the unprecedented feat of qualifying for the league leaders as both hitter and pitcher he was dominating on both sides of the ball for an entire season he hit 46 home runs and and pitch a 318 ER and had the first season in MLB history with more than 10 pitching wins and 30 home runs this performance earned them the American League MVP award unanimously the MLB has had pitchers who have become successful batters and vice versa but we've never had anyone doing what Otani has shown the only rival that anyone can think of for Otani is Babe Ruth because Babe Ruth was a very successful pitcher before he came a home run Slugger but Otani is both at once and these capabilities of Otani has left an undeniable mark on his team he's a formidable force on the mound confounding batters with his variety of pitches he is a consistent danger at the plate capable of changing the game's complexion with a single swing otani's historic deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers begins a new chapter in his career this Hefty $700 million contract demonstrates his market value and the expectations that have been placed on him in a unique twist Otani is actually deferring his contract and will only make $2 million per year for the next 10 season allowing the Dodgers to have more freedom to spend building the team around him so you might be thinking is he worth it an economist projected that in 2022 that sh Otani alone generated 337 million of Revenue in a single year and according to another report Otani also made the Angels $70 million before even throwing a single pitch and that's all he's worth off the field with the Dodgers Otani steps into a team known for its winning culture of the pursuit of Excellence otani's number 17 jersey sales broke records as a result of this high-profile move becoming the best-selling Jersey within 48 Hours of its release according to Fanatics one of the leading sports apparel Merchants his influence is likely to be considerable not only in terms of onfield performance but also in leadership and the global appeal otani's potential in the Dodgers uniform is Limitless and the baseball world is eager to see how this new chapter is of his already incredible career unfolds his role with the Los Angeles Dodgers is changing as the 2024 season approaches Otani will not Pitch the season due to surgery instead focusing completely on his ability as a hitter this adjustment has the potential to have a huge impact on both his individual performance and and the team Dynamic without the physical and emotional strains of pitching there's a possibility of an even more remarkable performance at the plate which is crazy to think about Otani may find increased stamina and a greater focus without pitching fatigue which might contribute to higher hitting averages more home runs and a more consistent run output having Otani in the lineup as a full-time hitter provides a significant Advantage for the Dodgers his Bat will be available in every game giving a steady and potent offensive throw threat this might result in a more Dynamic lineup which would have a huge impact on the team strategy and success during the season this emphasis on batting could provide a look into otani's future if he continues to perform at this capacity it has the potential to reshape his entire career trajectory confirming his status as one of the League's best hitters in Major League Baseball possibly even shattering judge's 62 homers record Otani is expected to continue breaking records and setting new Norms in his future his distinct skill not only sets him apart as an important player for the Dodgers but also keeps him in the contention for future MVP awards and to go down as the greatest baseball player of all time because of his athletic talent and Mark ability he will most certainly continue to be the face of the MLB attracting even more fans from around the world otani's career will most certainly have the most far-reaching impact Beyond his own accomplishments and team contributions he's setting the perhaps for future generations of players who want to flourish in numerous positions Define traditional baseball expectations his accomplishments have the potential to influence how young players are trained and employed in professional baseball Bon's transfer the Dodgers is more than just a new chapter in his career it's a watershed moment that could alter his legacy and shape the very future of baseball otani's poised to continue studying the baseball world both on and off the field with great Talent unrivaled versatility and a flare for the dramatic otani's career is more than a list of accomplishments it's the story of a pioneering success and constant progress we are watching more than just a season of Excellence but the latest chapter in a career that is already revolutionized what is possible in baseball so what do you guys think of his story let us know down in the comment section below if you enjoyed today's video then make sure to subscribe to our Channel and click on the Bell icon to always be updated on the newest content when it comes to baseball thanks for watching and we'll see you in the next [Music] one

Channel: Bottom Of The Inning

Views: 98,587

Keywords: mlb, baseball, shohei ohtani, sports highlights, mlb highlights

Id: bDDmZpFR6PA

Length: 13min 8sec (788 seconds)

Published: Mon Jan 08 2024