The MLB’s newest Japanese star Shohei Ohtani made his pitching debut for the Los Angeles Angels on April 1st. Ohtani picked up the first win of the career against the Oakland Athletics 7-4. We learned a lot about Ohtani in his debut and saw a glimpse into what the future holds for him. Ohtani recorded the second most swing and misses in a Major League debut in the last decade with eighteen. Shohei sealed the series win for the Angels over the Athletics getting the series to 3-1. Ohtani showed he has the potential to be a superstar in the league. While it’s only game one and there is a lot more baseball to be played, here is what we learned from Shohei Ohtani’s pitching debut.
What We Learned From Shohei Ohtani’s Pitching Debut
1. Ohtani can Handle the Big Stage of the MLB
After demonstrating his talents overseas, Ohtani signed with the Los Angeles Angels. There was some question as to whether he would be able to keep up against the players of the MLB. Ohtani showed that he can by winning his debut game. Not only that, but Ohtani only allowed three hits total, all coming in the same inning. Matt Chapman’s three-run home run was the worst part of the inning for Ohtani. Ohtani kept it together and pulled out the win.
2. He Can Overcome a Bad Inning
Ohtani had his first taste of a bad inning in the second inning of his debut. He allowed all three of his allowed hits in the same inning. This included the three-run home run by Chapman. Ohtani put down fourteen of the next fifteen batters showing that he wasn’t shaken. In the sixth inning, Ohtani was relieved for the night. He would go on to get his first major league win.
3. Ohtani Showed he Can Start a Game Hot
When Ohtani took the mound for his first major league pitches he made sure not to waste them. He retired the first batter he faced and had three of the first four outs via strikeout. Ohtani cruised through the first inning wasting no time making his mark on the mound. Ohtani struggled in the second inning giving up all three of hits allowed hits including Chapman’s home run. The A’s halted Ohtani’s hot start in the second, but he recovered and continued his hot streak all the way to his relief in the sixth.
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