Shohei Otani (sometimes Ohtani) has to be one of the most famous and exciting non-MLB baseball players in the history of the sport.
Seriously, this 23-year-old two-way player (meaning that he’s both an ace on the mound and a slugger at the plate) has hardly even played this season thanks to various injuries, and yet we’re still awed and mystified almost anytime/as soon as he steps back onto the field.
For example, check out this latest, greatest, moonshot of a home run to straight away center field that’s just now been circulating around the web:
That is an absolute BLAST that reached the upper deck in center field. I’m obviously not intimately familiar with that ballpark or its history, but I cannot imagine it’s been touched many times before.
And again, that’s coming from a guy who’s one of the best pitchers in Japan. Take another look at that swing from the side:
Look at this thing of beauty. pic.twitter.com/L66HsWMU6F
— Kazuto Yamazaki (@Kazuto_Yamazaki) August 14, 2017
A player just shouldn’t be able to succeed on both sides of the ball the way Otani does, and it’s truly impressive to witness.
Of course, in case you missed it, reports have been circulating that Otani will not head to the United States this winter, as previously expected. Instead, he’s expected to wait one more season, so that he can finish his Japanese playing career with a full, healthy season, before leaving for the States*.
Whenever he comes over, however, he’s sure to put on a show.
*If you’re a Cubs fan and want Otani on the North Side sometime soon, this is very good news for you. You can read more about why that is right here at Bleacher Nation.