Hitting a pitch in MLB is hard enough as it is.
Hitting a home run is very difficult.
Homering to the opposite field is for the pros.
Now, going yard to the opposite field after hitting a 116-mph laser?
We thought it was impossible, until Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani came along.
On Wednesday, he did this:
Shohei Ohtani’s AL-leading 21st home run. pic.twitter.com/vJ2vX9sYfH
—MLB (@MLB) June 15, 2023
That home run came against a left-hander, as hard to believe as it may sound.
He sent that ball to the second deck for his 21st round-tripper of the season.
The home run was what you would call a unicorn:
Every ball hit in the Statcast was by a left-handed MLB hitter at 116+ MPH before tonight vs. the one Shohei Ohtani hit tonight…
We weren’t sure a hit like this was even possible before tonight. pic.twitter.com/6wGfXHHMnD
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) June 15, 2023
Ohtani seems determined to get back the MVP award he lost to New York Yankees star Aaron Judge last year.
He won it unanimously in 2021 and is the main candidate to take it home this year.
The Japanese star is hitting a cool .299/.377/.610 with the 21 dingers, 45 runs scored, 52 RBI, and even 10 steals.
What can’t this man do?
Oh, and he will take the mound on Thursday against the Texas Rangers.
As a pitcher, Ohtani has a 3.32 ERA in 76 innings, with 34 walks and 102 strikeouts.
He throws 100 mph, he has a vicious splitter, he can hit the ball 116 mph, he homers, he steals bases, he can lead and inspire a team, and plenty more.
There is not much Ohtani can’t achieve on a baseball field; and the Angels owe him at least one legitimate playoff push.
With the team 38-32 and 5.5 games behind the Rangers for the AL West lead, these games are extremely important.
LA finally seems to have a competitive team in place to contend for a spot in the postseason.
They owed most of that to Ohtani.
NEXT:
Shohei Ohtani Made History With Latest Must-See Home Run
