![]() ![]() The two sides ultimately agreed to a six-year, $60 million pact to begin his MLB career.Ī year after Darvish’s departure, the Fighters set their sights on another high school unicorn. His ceiling was so limitless that the Rangers, under the old posting system, forked over $51.7 million to the Fighters just for the right to negotiate with Darvish. In between, he was a two-time Pacific League MVP, a five-time All-Star and a three-time strikeout king. He was one of my favorites.”ĭarvish, after all, led all Nippon Professional Baseball pitchers in ERA, wins and shutouts from the time he burst onto the scene with the Fighters as an 18-year-old until departing to the United States before the 2012 season. I mean, he just had nasty pitches, making great throws and his presence on the mound was unbelievable. “ … He was my favorite pitcher growing up. “He’s someone I’ve always wanted to face one day,” Ohtani said through an interpreter after touching 100 mph in Friday’s seven-inning start. He last threw Friday in Anaheim and has yet to pitch on fewer than five days’ rest this year, making it highly unlikely that he finds his way to the mound during this two-game stop.Īnd, because the DH is not in play, either, and Ohtani, 27, has yet to start a game in the outfield, a long-awaited matchup with the pitcher he emulated while growing up in Japan could hinge on whether Angels manager Joe Maddon sees an opportunity to call on his best left-handed-bat in the pinch while Darvish is still in Wednesday’s game. Ohtani’s well-being has tailored a season-long plan that could make the AL MVP favorite sparsely seen this week at Petco Park. More than two times the stress on your body.” The veteran's ability to provide elite production as both a hitter and pitcher cements him as perhaps the top fantasy option heading into the 2023 season.“If you’re playing only as a pitcher the season is tough - the stress on your body - but he’s doing both and playing every day as a DH and pitching every seven, every eight days. All were career-bests for Ohtani, who continued to miss bats at a decidedly above-average rate with a 12.4% swinging strike percentage and a 33.2% strikeout rate - the latter of which was in the 94th percentile league-wide. On the mound, the Angels standout was similarly effective, logging a 2.33 ERA, a 2.40 FIP, and 219 strikeouts in 166 innings of work. Ohtani finished in the 92nd percentile or better in xBA, hard-hit rate, xwOBA, barrel rate, and xSLG. More contact is generally a good thing for the 28-year-old and fantasy managers alike. Ohtani struck out 24.2% of the time, a career-low that not only helped him make more contact but also saw him post his highest batting average in a single season since the 2019 campaign as he hit. 356 on-base percentage, 34 home runs, and 11 stolen bases in 666 plate appearances for the Angels last season, and while his walk rate dropped a bit to 10.8%, his strikeout rate as a hitter dipped as well. ![]() Los Angeles Angels designated hitter and starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani enjoyed another excellent season both at the plate and in the field, making him perhaps the best fantasy option heading into next season in leagues where he has eligibility both as a designated hitter and as a starting pitcher. Shohei Ohtani 2023 Player Outlook: Arguably Fantasy Baseball's Best Player ![]() ![]() As a pitcher, he put up a 10-5 record, 3.14 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and 167:55 K/BB ratio over 132 innings (23 starts). 304/.412/.654 batting line to go along with 44 homers, 95 RBI, and 20 stolen bases over 599 plate appearances. Despite missing the final month of the regular season, he's still the odds-on favorite to take home his second AL MVP. Ohtani will hit free agency for the first time this offseason and will have no shortage of bidders, despite the fact his elbow will require surgery at some point. He's now done for the regular season, and most likely, has played his last game as a member of the Los Angeles Angels. The 29-year-old superstar was also diagnosed with a torn UCL in his right elbow last month but was still serving as the Angels' DH up until September 4, when he strained his oblique. Los Angeles Angels designated hitter/starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (oblique) has been placed on the 10-day injured list and will be out for the remainder of the regular season. Shohei Ohtani Out For The Season With Oblique Strain ![]()
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