Shohei Ohtani delivered the fastest pitch of his career, clocking in at 101.7 mph, during his third pitching appearance for the Los Angeles . On Saturday against the Kansas City Royals, the two-way star pitched two solid innings, allowing just one hit and one walk. This marked his first outing this season that lasted more than one inning.
manager Dave Roberts expressed optimism about Ohtani’s performance, noting the impressive velocity and control. After recovering from Tommy John surgery last year, Ohtani has now made 86 starts over five seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, compiling a 38-19 record and a 3.01 ERA.
In Saturday’s game, Ohtani threw first-pitch strikes to every batter he faced, totaling 20 strikes on 27 pitches. He surrendered a single to Bobby Whitt Jr. and walked Maykel Garcia before reaching a 0-2 count with a 101.7 mph fastball. He then retired the side in order during the second inning, striking out rookie Jack Carrion with an 89 mph slider.
However, Ohtani’s batting performance was less stellar as he went 0-for-4 in the game, which the lost 9-5. Despite this, the 30-year-old continues to shine at the plate, hitting 29 home runs as one of Los Angeles’ primary batters this season.
— Report by Associated Press
Fan Take: Ohtani’s ability to dominate both on the mound and at the plate makes him a rare and irresistible force in baseball, bringing excitement and drawing fans to the game. His performance this season not only highlights his unique talent but also signals a potential shift in how players could be utilized in the future, blending pitching and hitting roles at an elite level.
