Telepeer

Angels’ Shohei Ohtani ‘satisfied’ with spring debut on mound

March 1, 2023

MESA, Ariz. — Shohei Ohtani was scheduled to take the mound for two innings in his 2023 spring training pitching debut Tuesday afternoon but as with everything else in his major league career, he gave even more.

The Angels’ two-way star made his last appearance with the Angels before leaving for Japan in advance of World Baseball Classic play. He faced six batters through two innings and then faced two more bonus hitters in the third inning against the Oakland Athletics.

His final act on the mound was to hop in disbelief after his pitch to Ryan Noda was called out of the strike zone for a walk. He departed after a visit from Manager Phil Nevin, content after throwing 33 pitches with two walks, two strikeouts and no hits.

“This was the first real game this year so I wanted to ease in and try to hit around 95 (mph) and I was able to do that,” Ohtani said through an interpreter about his 1-2-3 first inning. “In the second inning, I would have really liked to hit 100, but (it was) 98. I was pretty satisfied with that.”

Using PitchCom himself and sending his pitch selections to catcher Logan O’Hoppe, instead of the other way around, Ohtani was looking for a way to get a jump on the new pitch clock. While doing so, he became even more difficult to take your eye off of while in constant motion.

His PitchCom device appeared to be on his upper left arm as he fidgeted with that side of his upper body between pitches, but when asked where it was located, he protected the information like a trade secret.

“It’s a good sign that you guys don’t know,” Ohtani said, first getting a laugh from Japanese reporters gathered around him, then another when his answer was translated into English.

If Tuesday’s Ohtani experience was anything, it was a sign that the star is at ease while at a critical juncture of his baseball career.

As arguably the world’s most popular baseball player, he now pivots toward baseball’s world tournament with a chance to bring more eyes to the WBC than ever before.

Ohtani also heads into a free-agent season as a once-in-a-generation two-way player who can hit and pitch at the highest of levels. He owns a combination of physical and mental tools the game has never seen.

Asked about the pitch clock, Ohtani said he felt rushed, but he wasn’t worried. Of course not.

“I think as long as I get games under my belt, I should be fine,” he said.

There won’t be a pitch clock at the WBC, but Ohtani might keep the quick pitch tempo anyway. Or maybe he won’t once game intensity starts.

“There is not really a point, but I will try to work a little bit faster,” he said. “I was glad I was able to get this under my belt to prepare for the season.”

He is expected to board a flight for Japan on Wednesday, then join his countrymen for what is projected to be a long WBC run. And while there, the player who is likely to land the richest contract in baseball history in free agency, will apparently not even be the best player in the clubhouse.

That was Ohtani’s claim anyway, according to none other than Mike Trout in a recent conversation between the two that probably was more WBC gamesmanship than anything.

So who is this star of all stars that will be on Team Japan?

“You’ll find out if you watch the games,” said Ohtani, the most watchable player of all.

BEHIND THE PLATE

Nevin said O’Hoppe being the catcher for Ohtani on Tuesday isn’t necessarily a sign of anything moving forward.

“Don’t read anything into this as Opening Day or anything like that,” Nevin said. “Trust me.”

Nevin said Ohtani’s history with Max Stassi would make it easy for the pair to resume a comfort level before the season starts. And Ohtani has a working relationship with Matt Thaiss as well.

“I want all three of them to be able to have some comfort level with him and really, in Shohei being comfortable with them,” Nevin said.

Orange County Register

News Details

Angels’ Shohei Ohtani ‘satisfied’ with spring debut on mound

BEHIND THE PLATE

News

CONTACT INFO

QUICK LINKS

SERVICES

CURRENT NEWS