Shohei Ohtani

[broncosmitty]

I appreciate you educating me.

I don't want to jump on the bandwagon too much, but a guy who has the ability to both pitch and hit has always been something that I've wanted to see. I've always hated the DH and my friends (literally all of them) mock me for it. It's why I was so pissed that the Twins passed on Hunter Greene.

I just don't get why for 100 years that we haven't had anyone do both.

There isn't enough time to focus on both.

Talent alone can get kids thru doing both at young ages and lower levels. But nobody has enough in the tank to dedicate themselves in both aspects. At the highest levels. Not in the modern game anyway. On top of that, the season is too long to ask that out of a body. Back, hips, thighs/hammies, something is going to give. Or a player will disappoint both ways.

Look at Babe Ruth. His offense caught fire when his pitching workload was cut in half.

 

[broncosmitty]

How the hell did he make an All-Star game? Was that Japan stuffing the ballot boxes?

Same reason Bryce Harper was an AS in 2012 and 13.

 

[podsox]

I wish the kid well but what are the chances he's really all that great. ichiro was amazing but whose the 2nd best jap to come over? Matsui? Seems like a lot of hype for a guy that was a strikeout machine in Japan.

 

[navamind]

I wish the kid well but what are the chances he's really all that great. ichiro was amazing but whose the 2nd best jap to come over? Matsui? Seems like a lot of hype for a guy that was a strikeout machine in Japan.

Him or Nomo... maybe Darvish.

 

[Mebert]

I wish the kid well but what are the chances he's really all that great. ichiro was amazing but whose the 2nd best jap to come over? Matsui? Seems like a lot of hype for a guy that was a strikeout machine in Japan.

Usually players from Japan come over at 28, as a pitcher that means right at their prime. So the best players from there come here and do very well for a few years, but then are on the downside of their career.

Ohtani is different as he is 23. Barring injuries he will be the first full career in MLB. It is interesting to see what happens

 

[Voltaire26]

Do we have any Angels fans on the board ... it will be fun watching Ohtani hitting with Trout, Upton and Pujos (what diversity ).

 

[navamind]

Do we have any Angels fans on the board ... it will be fun watching Ohtani hitting with Trout, Upton and Pujos (what diversity ).

I don't think there's anything fun about watching Pujols handle a bat anymore.

 

[Voltaire26]

I don't think there's anything fun about watching Pujols handle a bat anymore.

.241 average not impressive 101 RBI's gotta like that ... but I feel what you saying.

 

[richig07]

He'll either be good for the Angels, or he won't.

 

[msgkings322]

He'll either be good for the Angels, or he won't.

 

[calsnowskier]

Don’t call him out or ask for clarifation. He takes that as a fight...

 

[Chewbaccer]

Other than a few exceptions, Japanese players tend to not transition well to the Majors.

Darvish and Tanaka are the only starting pitchers to come to mind that have had maintained success.

Ichiro and Hideki Matsui are the only batters.

 

[richig07]

His first batter faced. He'll either get him out, or he won't. That's the tough thing about baseball. You either succeed or you don't.

It's very unusual that there's a plate appearance, which does not result in somebody getting out or reaching base.

Somebody has to fail. At least, most of the time... Maybe it will rain his first game and nobody gets out?

A few years from now, the Angels will either regret this signing or celebrate it. The only other option, would be that they're "so-so" about it. I mean, I guess we'll have to see... but I don't envision it going any other way besides those three options.

 

[calsnowskier]

His first batter faced. He'll either get him out, or he won't. That's the tough thing about baseball. You either succeed or you don't.

It's very unusual that there's a plate appearance, which does not result in somebody getting out or reaching base.

Somebody has to fail. At least, most of the time... Maybe it will rain his first game and nobody gets out?

A few years from now, the Angels will either regret this signing or celebrate it. The only other option, would be that they're "so-so" about it. I mean, I guess we'll have to see... but I don't envision it going any other way besides those three options.

More stellar analysis.

Mind.

Blown.

 

[richig07]

More stellar analysis.

Mind.

Blown.

If you can't tell I'm joking, and poking fun at the OP. I don't know what to tell ya...

Why don't you stick to your analysis about how AT&T park hurts HR's, but could never hurt a power hitters chances at setting HR records. lol

Also, keep being a douche, totally unnecessarily.

 

[JohnU]

It's very unusual that there's a plate appearance, which does not result in somebody getting out or reaching base.

Once I was playing a slow pitch game and the umpire pissed me off and while I was at bat he fuckin' threw me out of the game and since we didn't have a sub, we had to forfeit.
Does that count?

 

[navamind]

.241 average not impressive 101 RBI's gotta like that ... but I feel what you saying.

he had a sub-.300 OBP and sub-.400 SLG%... as a 1B/DH. He was one of the worst players in baseball.

 

[bksballer89]

Scioscia: Angels to use Ohtani as DH, pitcher

 

[GNG]

How bout this guy? He is either going to be one of the greats, or he will wash out fast, what do you think?

His hype will most likely be better than his production.

 

[MilkSpiller22]

i am entertained by how people want to see him as a 2 way player... His bat doesn't seem ready as he has struck out over 1/4 of his PA in JAPAN... Just imagine what he would do vs better talent...

His bat looks like he belongs in the minor leagues still, or in the NATIONAL league as a SP who bats only when he starts...