Years before Shohei Ohtani stepped into the MLB, his stormful two-way skills came into play. The slugger’s playing style had not yet received acknowledgment through two unanimous MVP Awards, as it has now. However, that didn’t stop Ohtani from achieving his dream of being a two-way player of elite caliber.

Young Ohtani’s teammates, MLB managers, and coaches noticed his playing strategies. They had nothing but praise to shower on Shotime’s one-of-a-kind performances. His pitching potential before the universal MLB recognition deserves a mention, for the same reason.

Shohei Ohtani made a statement about his pitching legacy in the third majors’ game

Shohei Ohtani etched his name in immortal letters on the Saga of Professional Baseball on his third starting game in the majors. That day, over 44,742 people gathered to watch the mythical Japanese genius in action. They were not disappointed, to say the least.

Shohei didn’t allow a single baserunner to pass through for a straight 6 ⅓ innings. Marcus Semien, the Oakland Athletics’ shortstop, was the first to strike out a single. “Shohei Ohtani: The Amazing Story of Baseball’s Two-Way Japanese Superstar” book says that he struck out about 12 in that game, bringing his total of SOs up to 18 in his first two starts.

According to the onlookers, his elusive splitters and fastballs, which reportedly reach over 90 mph at times, were mostly unhittable. Three people in particular were keenly observant of Shotime’s show of skills that day. It led to them having a certain faith in the slugger; one that has come a long way since his debut back in 2018.

Shohei Ohtani wasn’t keen on letting any hits come through during that pitching stint. He wanted to have a clean board, displaying just a zero. In his words, “One hit would have been two runs—that’s a huge difference. I wanted that strikeout, and I got it.”

A sight to behold, a saga to be told!

Former Angels’ manager Mike Scioscia couldn’t have been prouder of the team’s newest treasure trove. “That’s as good a game as you’re ever going to see pitched,” he beamed during his briefing session with reporters post-game. Infielder Zack Cozart was very observant of his newest playmate’s techniques. “His splitter just kind of drops off the table,” he told mlb.com, going on to state, “It just drops below the zone. That’s how it comes out, the same as his fastball. It makes it tough as a hitter.”

Martin Maldonado, a former Angels catcher, pointed out how crucial it is for a pitcher to be as efficient at throwing fastballs as Ohtani. According to him, Ohtani’s inexplicable ability to throw a fastball at any angle he wants makes the hitter on the other end feel a certain pressure to swing at that splitter.

Read More: Shohei Ohtani’s Special Off-Field Talent Revealed, Two-Way Phenom Leaves Fans in Awe

Fast forward to 202, Ohtani’s currently amidst an exciting free agency availability period, judging which club to play for next behind the open doors. One will have to wait and watch whom he races with his presence next to the baseball floor!

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