Shohei Ohtani, the two-fisted pitcher again! New Pitching Form” is “Stiff Arm” and “Technique

Otani Fever” is more than last year

When the star’s “solo live performance” ended, the ballpark in Glendale, Arizona, was filled with thunderous applause.

On February 24 (Japan time), Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers (30) took part in his first live batting practice of the season, known as “Live BP.

On this day, Ohtani left the clubhouse in a cart and headed not to his usual practice field, but to a field called “Field 5,” which is used by minor leaguers. Normally, live BP is usually conducted with two pitchers and about eight batters, but this time Otani was alone. This was an unusual VIP treatment, and it is a sign of the leaders’ expectation and trust in Otani. In front of 300 people, including manager Dave Roberts (52), the press, and fans, Otani stood for five at-bats and gave up two hits. He broke his bat on his first swing and laughed. He seemed to be adjusting well,” said a reporter from a major media outlet covering the event.

(A major media reporter covering the game there.) Ohtani has already hit a series of great sounds in February, including an extra-large 140-meter shot in a free-hit game. He has already hit a 140-meter high extra-base hit in a free-hit game, and as of February, he has been making a lot of great sounds.

The “Ohtani fever” at camp is even greater than last year, and every time Ohtani moves to a new location, there are 100s of people waiting in line to see him. In addition, the Dodgers have Yoshinobu Yamamoto (26) and Akinori Sasaki (23), so the Japanese press in the area are busy and dizzy.

(Laughs.) With the hitting going so well, the question is how the pitchers, who will be returning this season, will fare. He has already shown that his strong arm is still going strong in the bullpen, with a maximum speed of 153 km/h. But for Otani, who has been away from the game for more than a year, the days of trial and error are still numbered.

One thing in particular that has attracted attention is the change in his pitching form. In the past, Ohtani threw his fastball over 160 km/h from the set position, where his release point was more stable, but this season he is trying a “no-windup” approach, in which he takes a step back with his left foot before starting to pitch.

Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior, 44, said of the change in form, “It was Shohei’s suggestion, not mine. This change will not directly reduce the burden on the body, but we hope that the improved sense of rhythm and timing will result in a reduction in the burden.