
via Getty
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 29: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels hits a two-run home run during the fifth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on June 29, 2021 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

via Getty
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 29: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels hits a two-run home run during the fifth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on June 29, 2021 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Shohei Ohtani is clearly the top performer of 2021. With the player having a truly 2 way season in 2021 Ohtani was clearly a performer. Setting standards for the league to live up to, Ohtani was kicking ass and taking names in 2021. So much so infact that he has fans even from across the league. Including Phillies’ striker Baron Radcliff.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Radcliff appeared on a podcast recently and opened up about watching Ohtani train. Radcliff was drafted by the Phillies in 2020 and spent the last season in the minor leagues. In the last year however, the Radcliff had been on a training camp to Seattle where he had to chance to interact with Ohtani. Speaking to his experience both from home plate as well as watching Ohtani face some pitches, Radcliff called it as he saw it. Ohtani’s dominance is here to stay.
Seeing Shohei Ohtani bat in the cage
Radcliff spoke about Ohtani’s build and how even though he seems real stocky on TV, that isn’t fully indicative. “On TV he seems built like a tank”, Radcliff said “but he’s not like that in real life.” Speaking to his workout regimen, Radcliff added that he never saw Ohtani pickup a weight at the camp. “He had no muscle definition”, added Radcliff.

USA Today via Reuters
Sep 25, 2021; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) sprints to first base on his way to a triple against the Seattle Mariners in the first inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
“He just did a bunch of explosion stuff,” added Radcliff. And to call what Radcliff goes on to describe next is a true testament to Ohtani’s power. Reaching to describe Ohtani’s athleticism, Radcliff revealed an insane Ohtani story from the camp.
Ohtani, reportedly, broke 3 metal bats at the camp just from impact on the barrel. And this was during practice.
“He snapped the bat in half from impact,” said Radcliff. And just to take it that extra step, Ohtani was apparently making impact with high speed pitches and flipping bats in front of the pitchers too. “He’s the only one I’ve seen doing it”, Radcliff added about the breaking of his bats.
Read More : Undisputed- Shohei Ohtani Dominates Charts as Most Popular MLB Player in USA for 2021
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Ohtani’s batting prowess
Radcliff was also asked in the podcast about how consistent Ohtani was with his swings in the cage, because he seems to have cut down his swings in games over the past year. However, Radcliff said that the story was different in the cage. “He is grunting, swinging as hard as he can, every single pitch,” said Radcliff.

via Getty
ANAHEIM, CA – SEPTEMBER 20: Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) stares at his bat after swinging and missing during the MLB game between the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on September 20, 2021 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Going after his competitive streak that allows Shohei to perform, Radcliff had more to add. “He could hit a ball 400 feet and still be unhappy.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“I’ve never seen somebody hit the ball so hard”, he added as the clincher about Ohtani.
Radcliff will be spending the 2022 season with the Phillies and hoping to make his major league debut soon. And for him we hope he gets to see Ohtani in-game next season.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT