

Shohei Ohtani was the clear favorite to dominate headlines in 2021. Turning in one of the most stellar seasons seen in MLB in the past few years, Ohtani set the league alight. And with the 2022 season set to resume in almost a week, he seems to be raring to go again. The swing, the power, and the complete hitting of the athlete were on full display as the LA Angels took on the Chicago White Sox, and Ohtani homered in his first look at home plate.
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Ohtani had perhaps one of the most unique seasons in 2021 with his 2-way displays. Showcasing some powerful strokes, Ohtani coupled that with some solid displays from the mound too. However, come 2022, he may need to pace himself more carefully; although he seems in no mood to slow down. With spring training usually treated by athletes as a time to ramp up, Ohtani has much to show this year, and he might just have the minerals to deliver on his promises too.
Shohei Ohtani delivers in Spring Training
Ohtani is clearly one of the league’s foremost hitting talents. And with the universal DH coming to baseball this year too, we could well be set to see a year with Ohtani dominating the hitting stats. Named on the mound for the Angels’ Opening day bid, he chose to rest from the mound and only took the home plate in the 12-3 win against the Chicago White Sox. And at the top of the first, Ohtani did what he does best. He homered off the first pitch of the game.
Shohei Ohtani home run on the first pitch of the game! pic.twitter.com/8aFfNtkaSs
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) March 26, 2022
Ohtani took the pitch deep into right-center field for the hit. He cleaned out Vince Velaquez’s first pitch for a homer to start off the game, and in style. In his other plate appearances, Ohtani drew a walk from the pitcher and eventually struck out but he had already made his impact on the game.
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Ready for 2022?

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)
The Angels look primed to take advantage of the star power in their line-up this year. With the return of Mike Trout in 2022 as well; the Angels may be set to see a step up in their production. And who knows; 2022 may be the year the Angels finally have a post-season run with the pennant at the end of it.
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But what do you think? How far do you see the LA Angels going this year? Will the hitting combination of Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani work out to their advantage or do you foresee some problems for them too?
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