Published 01/31/2023, 10:36 AM EST
After signing a contract of $5.5 million in 2022, Shohei Ohtani broke the record for the biggest salary raise for an arbitration-eligible player by signing a $30 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels for the 2023 season, before he enters free agency. Now, to live up to the price he’s getting paid, and the prospective $500 million talks after entering the free market, the two-way phenomenon is practicing hard, even during his time away from the sport.
Analogous to that, the official MLB Twitter handle re-uploaded a video initially posted by Ohtani displaying the Japanese-born 28-year-old showcasing his hitting ability.
It’s never an off-day for Shohei Ohtani, but fans may not agree
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Up until today, Ohtani has managed 441 strikeouts at 2.96, while smashing 127 home runs with 342 runs batted in. These statistics are a mere display of the kind of ability Ohtani possesses. And to be fair, Ohtani’s rigorous training regimen even during the off-season has paid off, as evidenced by his 2021 AL MVP award and his runner-up nomination for the 2022 AL MVP award.
“The Sho has no offseason” captioned the MLB while uploading a video of Shohei Ohtani smashing the ball around the park with ease.
However, fans are only merely pleased with MLB’s comments, with their point being that every potential baseball player across the American country has started practicing for the upcoming season. At the same time, multiple other fans pointed out that just like Ohtani has no offseason, he also has no postseason, given the Angels’ disappointing postseason history in recent years.
This is how fans reacted:
On the horizon for Ohtani prior to the MLB season is his participation in the World Baseball Classic, representing Japan. Should Japan advance to the second and championship round (which is likely), fans may be in for a remarkable Angels showdown in the WBC.
A much-awaited, upcoming match-up
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Mike Trout vs Shohei Ohtani is a possibility in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Can you believe it?
If Japan qualifies past the first round, they could potentially face the United States of America (if they qualify), which features the Angels star Mike Trout.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JULY 19: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees and Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels look on from the dugout before the 92nd MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at Dodger Stadium on July 19, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Are you excited to watch Shohei Ohtani in the upcoming WBC, followed by the MLB? How excited are you? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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