On the national stage tonight on ESPN, Los Angeles Angels pitcher/slugger Shohei Ohtani is taking both the mound and the bat. I know, I know, with the designated hitter going away in the National League again this year, maybe it’s not so special.
But the thing is, Ohtani pitches in the American League. And when he’s not pitching, he’s a designated hitter. *He* is so special.
And he showed it off right out of the gate tonight. In the very same inning – the first inning – he threw a pitch 101 mph … and the hit one out of the park at 115 mph:
Shohei Ohtani, 101mph Fastball and 92mph Splitter. 😳 pic.twitter.com/M6WDbJgljI
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 5, 2021
But can your pitcher do… THIS? pic.twitter.com/vW7nesRyZ6
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) April 5, 2021
There is nothing like this man in baseball. Enjoy every moment you get. Now the kicker:
Shohei Ohtani has thrown the fastest pitch of any starting pitcher so far in this early season (100.6 MPH) and has the hardest-hit HR of the season by any player (115.2 MPH exit velocity). pic.twitter.com/P3GmsQoJmK
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 5, 2021