GLENDALE, Ariz. — We will discuss spectacle as a result of spectacle is a part of the Shohei Ohtani expertise.
He parcels out when he talks to reporters versus the overwhelming majority of gamers who will discuss if you happen to simply method them. So it was established that Thursday was going to be his time. And the Dodgers rigged a model of a velvet rope that might separate Ohtani and his interpreter from these posing questions. One thing I had seen in blended zone overlaying the Olympics, however by no means in baseball. Actually not on Feb. 9 in what is meant to be the laconic moments of early spring coaching.
However that is the Ohtani manner, partly as a result of so many need to chronicle his each transfer, particularly again dwelling. And so there have been roughly 70 reporters on their aspect of the velvet rope, 50-ish from Japan. The opposite motive why Ohtani limits commenting to media is, his handlers say, due to a dense, detailed preparatory system that has allowed him to change into the primary participant in MLB historical past to pitch and hit to the extent he does and to a stage that the Dodgers agreed with him on a 10-year, $700 million contract.
Which led me to not take into consideration spectacle as a lot as particular, as in simply how particular would possibly Ohtani’s offensive efficiency be in 2024, contemplating he is not going to have to organize as a pitcher — not less than to not pitch in a significant league recreation as soon as every week as he recovers from Tommy John surgical procedure with an eye fixed on being a two-way participant once more subsequent season.
“That may be a actually fascinating query,” stated Dodgers starter Tyler Glasnow. “It’s exhausting to even guess.”
Right here is a few stuff to ponder if you wish to start to work on a guess:
- When Ohtani had his first Tommy John surgical procedure and solely hit in 2019, it was simply his second 12 months in MLB. He was 24. And he didn’t play the primary six weeks of that season or the final two. He now’s completely aware of MLB pitching and routine and is absolutely developed at 29. And Ohtani stated Thursday he’s swinging at full energy already and the Dodgers count on him to be the on a regular basis DH from the outset of the season.
- The final we noticed Ohtani, he hit .304 with 46 homers, 20 steals, eight triples, a 1.066 OPS. That was with doing all of the work to make 23 begins. That was with, sooner or later, a tear in his left elbow. That was with out taking part in the final month of the season. That was with a revolving door of leadoff hitters and Mike Trout not hitting second usually sufficient attributable to damage in entrance of him and somebody in Anthony Rendon’s uniform usually behind him.
So what is feasible if you happen to get rid of getting ready for 20-something begins? With the elbow tear repaired? With the AL MVP hitting behind the NL MVP runner-up Mookie Betts and third-place finisher Freddie Freeman and backed by Will Smith or Teoscar Hernandez or Max Muncy?
“I really feel like there’s not a small stage, however a number of ranges forward offensive-wise,” Ohtani stated.
So what can that imply? Ohtani would have been a top-five MVP finisher final 12 months simply primarily based on his offense. Would a completely wholesome season on this lineup put 60 homers in play? Forty steals? Fifteen triples?
“That’s a good query,” Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman stated. “It wasn’t actually an element for us in doing the deal that we did. However I believe it undoubtedly applies to base stealing. He might be extra energetic on the bases because of not attempting to save lots of his legs for pitching. It’s a logical extension to say that it’ll profit him offensively that his legs are underneath him even that rather more. However I don’t actually know that. However we’re keen to wager that no matter that manufacturing stage is, it’s gonna be actually good.”
In holding off Betts and Freeman to win NL MVP final 12 months, Ronald Acuña Jr. was the primary 40/70 (41 homers/73 steals) man. Essentially the most steals in a 50-homer season had been 24 by Willie Mays and Alex Rodriguez. Is that in play? Is 60/30?
As a result of moreover how usually they’re on base, Freeman (21 steals) and Betts (14) had been profitable on 35 of 39 steal tries. If the lineup is, as anticipated, Betts and Freeman hitting 1-2 as they did final 12 months, then they not solely may be getting on base 40-plus p.c of the time in entrance of Ohtani to probably power pitchers to go after Ohtani, however maybe achieve this distracted and/or with fastballs due to the on-base pace. In that math, what does 44 homers in 135 video games within the Angels lineup whereas additionally being a pitcher translate to with the Dodgers?
And that’s earlier than we start to consider triples — since, whereas being a full-time beginning pitcher, Ohtani additionally nonetheless has the second-most triples (22) during the last three years (Amed Rosario had 23).
“That [lineup] safety level goes to be fascinating to look at and see the way it performs out and the way a lot impact it has or doesn’t have,” Friedman stated. “I don’t know what the precise order might be, however simply orbiting round Mookie and Freddie has to matter for opposing pitchers. And will probably be fascinating to see what number of extra pitches [Ohtani] will get to hit.”
The 2-way star is about to be only a hitter. He may not speak about it a lot — however I’ve a sense everybody else will.