Shohei Ohtani’s Batting Skill Praised by Legendary Nolan Ryan — Major League Baseball’s Greatest Pitcher

The sound from Ohtani’s bat never stops.

Shohei Ohtani, 27, entered the game against the Rockies on March 29 (March 30, Japan time) as the designated hitter and batted third with no outs in the fifth inning. He hit a 148 km/h sinker from right-hander Jhoulys Chacin (34), who has 81 wins in the Majors, into the left-field bleachers.

He scooped up a breaking ball low on the inside corner and turned it into a home run. It was a very skillful shot, and the MVP call was already echoing from the stands for Ohtani. Ohtani is expected to play the first batter in the opening game on April 8 (Japan Standard Time). His performance is going well.

Expectations are already high for a second consecutive MVP and the title of home run king, which he failed to reach last year. Nolan Ryan, 75, the “strikeout king” who holds the major league record for most strikeouts in a season and the record for most strikeouts in a season overall, praises his batting prowess.

I think a home run requires three things. I believe that home runs require three things: good timing, a position that allows 100% of the power to be transferred at the moment of contact, and a good swing. Shohei is able to control all three at a high level. In particular, the angle of the bat that makes contact with the ball is excellent. If you make good contact, you don’t need power.”

Starting this season, Major League Baseball will implement a new rule that allows a pitcher who has started a game to DH after he has been removed from the game. This new system is commonly known locally as the “Ohtani Rule” because Ohtani, who is a two-tool pitcher, will benefit the most from it. Mr. Ryan discusses the significance of the introduction of this rule.

“The Major Leagues, with over 100 years of history, have created a new rule,” he said. “Shohei is one of the rare players who has been allowed to change the history of the game, even though thousands and thousands of players have played in the game. The ‘new rule’ is quite a tailwind. The new rule will increase the number of at-bats significantly, which will make it that much more likely that he will become the home run king. Especially in his case, he also has a high rate of being shunned, so more at-bats is the best thing he can do. With the Shohei of today, even I, in my prime, would be able to hit.”

Ohtani’s batting has been highly praised by the senior members of the “Angels”. We can’t help but hope that he will become the first home run king.