Angels’ Phenom Shohei Ohtani has Been Phenomenal

Los Angeles Angels rookie Shohei Ohtani was hyped as the next Babe Ruth when the club acquired him from Japanese baseball in the off season. Ruth started out as a pitcher (and he was one of the best in baseball) but due to his great power hitting, the Babe became a full time outfielder as his career moved along. The 23 year old Ohtani was both an excellent pitcher and hitter in Japan, but those are some awfully big shoes to fill.

Through the first 10 games of the Angels’ season, Ohtani is living up to the billing. In four games, Ohtani is seven for 18 (.389) with three homers and seven RBIs. Mike Trout also has three homers and seven RBIs but he’s played all 10 games. He’s been just as good as a pitcher. In two starts, he is 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 13 innings pitched. In his second start on April 8th, Ohtani retired the first 19 Oakland Athletics before his perfect game was broken up by a seventh inning single off the bat of Marcus Semien. It was the only hit he allowed in his seven innings of work.

Just like Ohtani, the Angels are off to a good start this season and were 7-3 at the end of play on April 8th. Houston leads the AL West at 8-2.