Shohei Ohtani Is Proving Himself Already
Despite the early skepticism, the 23-year-old Los Angeles Angels pitcher and hitter is exceeding expectations in just the first couple months of his major-league career.
On the eve of this baseball season, Shohei Ohtani was a mystery. The 23-year-old Japanese phenom had arrived in the U.S. as a highly billed two-way star, supposedly capable of hitting and pitching at an All-Star level, but poor Spring Training stats and a sprained UCL had dampened optimism about his ability to thrive in the majors. Scouts dissed his hitting. Reporters questioned his pitching. Some analysts wondered whether Ohtani belonged not on the Los Angeles Angels’ roster, but in the minor leagues.
Just over two months later, there’s not much left to doubt.
