In 2018 spring training, fresh from Japan’s NPB, Shohei Ohtani pitched 2.2 innings and gave up three home runs. Across five spring games, three against minor leaguers, he posted an 11.7 ERA on the mound and hit just .125\/.222\/.125 at the plate. Naturally, the baseball world rushed to declare him overhyped, unprepared, and incapable of handling both roles in the majors.<\/p>
Little did they know.<\/p>
By season’s end, Ohtani had won AL Rookie of the Year. Six years later, his resume includes four All-Star selections, three MVPs, two Hank Aaron Awards, two home run titles, four All-MLB First Team honors, and, most recently, a World Series championship. Oh, and somewhere in between, he signed a record-shattering $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.<\/p>
With all that in mind, let’s break it down. Ohtani started 10 games in 2018, logging 51.2 innings. After a delayed start to the 2020 season, when Shohei Ohtani finally made it to the mound, he had a rather forgettable experience. He gave up five runs without recording an out before being pulled from the game, opening his season with a loss and an infinite ERA. Following his second start, he began feeling discomfort in his right arm, and an MRI later confirmed a flexor strain in his right elbow. As a result, he was shut down for the remainder of the 2020 season.<\/p>