A couple of weeks back, we wrote to remind you that Shohei Ohtani still rules after he hit a homer and helped propel the Angels to victory with his bat. Within that digital page was also discussion of how Ohtain was going to be super valuable even if he was merely a league-average starting pitcher.
Shohei Ohtani might be a pretty good pitcher, too
Monday’s Say Hey, Baseball sees Sunday starter Shohei Ohtani is crushing it in that role.
Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images
Then Ohtani had two more starts to remind us that “merely” league-average is one possibility, sure, but there is also plenty of room for something more than that. Ohtani now has seven starts under his belt, and was stretched out to 110 pitches in his most recent one. He also allowed just two runs over 7 2/3 innings of work, scattering six hits and one walk with help from nine strikeouts.
Ohtani had one poor start against the Red Sox, which is partially because of their lineup and partially because he was dealing with a blister. He also gave up four runs in 5 1/3 innings to the Astros, which, you know, they’re the defending champions and their lineup is absurd. Even with those two poor appearances attached, Ohtani’s ERA for the season is 3.35, with an ERA+ or 125. He’s crossed the 100-pitch threshold in each of his last two starts, and has averaged 6 2/3 innings per start over his last three.
These are all small samples — it’s still May, he’s thrown 40 innings all year, we’re breaking down a small two-month sample into a smaller three-week one — but if you watch Ohtani, you can see that his pitching isn’t just some mirage, either. He might be a better hitter than he is a pitcher, but he’s got a real opportunity to be a damn fine starter in MLB, too.
And as the rest of the American League West has woken up — the Astros are now in first place, 3.5 games up on the Angels with the Mariners in between them — Ohtani being just that good is going to be necessary. So far, he seems up to that challenge.
- This weekend brought us the 20-year anniverary of Armando Benitez getting a classic Yankees-Orioles brawl going, which also brought us Grant Brisbee writing about how fun it was and how we’re absolutely going to regret these brawls someday.
- The Braves walked off with a win after being down six runs in the ninth inning. That should be very embarrassing for their opponent, but it was the Marlins, so ... you know.
- Speaking of the Braves, the rumor going around is that they’ll try to acquire Mike Moustakas.
- Sergio Romo, reliever, started back-to-back games for the Rays, the team that seems very fond of paying relievers instead of starters this year.
- The Red Sox need to figure something out with Drew Pomeranz, whose slow start is ongoing.
- The Dodgers are not off to a great start, and Baseball Prospectus checked on their chances of recovering.
- Curious about the masking agents players using performance-enhancing drugs use and how they work? Stephanie Springer at The Hardball Times has you covered.
- Lance McCullers, curveball aficionado, lost his feel for the pitch in April, but, there is good news! He leaned on his changeup, and that all seems to be working for him.
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