In a recent game, Shohei Ohtani showcased impressive performance, lowering his ERA to 0.74. Interestingly, it seems the chatter around him isn’t solely focused on the Cy Young Award.
This four-time MVP and two-time home run champion has shifted gears, positioning himself as a strong candidate for another significant accolade.
Now, he’s vying for the batting title.
In three of the four games during the Dodgers’ 7-0 triumph against the Diamondbacks, Ohtani raised his batting average to .301, which currently places him ninth in the National League.
It appears that Ohtani might have a more favorable shot at becoming Japan’s second batting champion rather than its first Cy Young Award recipient.
The Dodgers’ six-man rotation helps to prevent Ohtani from being overworked, but this setup leaves him at a notable statistical disadvantage in comparison to other top pitchers.
Taking Christopher Sanchez of the Phillies as an example, he has pitched 86 1/3 innings in just 13 starts, while Jacob Misiorowski has logged 71 innings over 12 starts.
In contrast, Ohtani has started 10 games and pitched only 61 innings, which falls short of the typical standard for pitchers.
Regardless of how he fares in the Cy Young discussions, his offensive prowess could be instrumental in potentially securing him the MVP award.
As it stands, due to his contributions at the plate, Ohtani is edging closer to an achievement that once felt out of reach.
He is certainly proving himself as a formidable power hitter.
In his initial two seasons with the Dodgers, he hit a remarkable 109 home runs. Yet, during the first 62 games this season, he managed only 10. But that doesn’t necessarily indicate he’s not hitting effectively.
While he might not currently be leading in home runs, his performance as a leadoff hitter has been on the rise.
Back on May 11th, Ohtani’s batting average was merely .233, but since then, he’s made significant strides, boosting it by nearly 70 points. In his last 19 games as a designated hitter, he has an impressive average of .438.
Manager Dave Roberts commented, “He’s swinging at good pitches.”
After a slow start this season, Ohtani’s recent results have been nothing short of remarkable.
His improved selectivity has played a crucial role, especially as opponents are careful in their pitch selection against him.
“The balls I’m hitting aren’t necessarily coming right down the middle,” Ohtani noted. “That’s why I haven’t hit more home runs. But my swing feels good.”
In Wednesday’s game, he made an impact with a powerful hit against former All-Star Zac Gallen’s 0-2 fastball. He sent one at 167.8 mph that Ildemaro Vargas couldn’t quite handle.
Then, he notched another single in the sixth when relief pitcher Taylor Clark threw a 94.5 mph cutter inside—another shot at 163.8 mph that sailed into the right field.
By the time he faced Ryan Thompson in the ninth inning, Ohtani had one more hit, sending a low slider into right field.
Throughout the game, he also drew two walks.
His on-base percentage of .420 now exceeds anything he’s achieved previously in his career.
Roberts remarked, “He’s hitting for average, getting on base, and making solid contact.”
Since entering the major leagues, Ohtani has often said that his batting stance is pivotal for his success. It really shapes how he sees pitchers and tracks the ball.
“I think it’s pretty much settled,” he remarked.
However, he admitted it’s challenging to keep a consistent stance. “It’s tough to maintain it for an entire at-bat, let alone a whole game. The hardest part is sticking with it throughout the season.”
If everything goes well, he could join Ichiro Suzuki as Japan’s only batting champion.
The Dodgers are now seven games ahead of the Padres in the National League West.
Leading the National League is Brandon Marsh from the Phillies with a batting average of .335, followed closely by Otto Lopez of the Miami Marlins at .332. But there’s skepticism if these players can sustain their performance.
Three-time batting champion Luis Arraez is currently third at .322. However, it’s unclear where he’ll be when the trade deadline hits, especially as the Giants are faltering.
Still, one wonders: Is Ohtani content with his current hitting style?
Lately, he’s been piling up singles, but he has also mentioned that once he sorts out his launch angle, he’s eager to showcase his power again.
After a game where he had three hits, he expressed a desire to elevate his game. “It’s going well, especially as I see my OPS rise. It’d be ideal to see my slugging percentage increase further.”
The potential for him to clinch the batting title is real; the lingering question seems to be whether he genuinely wants it.
