Early YearsShohei Otani
Shohei Otani was born in Oshu, Iwate Prefecture, Japan in 1992. He started playing baseball at a young age and quickly proved himself to be a talented athlete. In 2012, his skills were recognized by the Japan Professional Baseball League, and he was selected in the first round of the NPB draft. For the next four years, he played for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. During this time, Ohtani established himself as one of the best players in the league and made it clear that he had all the skills needed to become an MLB star.
The Shift to Major League Baseball
In 2017, Ohtani moved to Major League Baseball and signed with the Los Angeles Angels. He was the first Japanese player to sign with the Angels, and his presence had an immediate impact on the team. He established himself as one of the most talented players in the league and quickly became the face of the Angels. He was outstanding on the field as he hit a . 285 batting average with 22 homers in just 104 games. As a pitcher, he also posted an impressive 3.31 ERA. His incredible performances earned him the title "Babe Ruth of Japan" and he quickly became a fan favorite.
Continued success
Ohtani continued to excel at the plate and on the mound in 2018. He hit . 285 with just 22 homers in 104 games. As a pitcher, he also posted an impressive 3.31 ERA. His performances earned him the title of "Japanese Babe Ruth" and he continues to be beloved by fans. In 2019, he put up impressive numbers again, hitting a . 286 batting average with 33 home runs. His performance earned him his first All-Star nomination and he was named AL Player of the Month in June. He also became the first player in MLB history to hit multiple home runs in one game as a pitcher and hitter.
Shohei Otani is an incredible Japanese-born player who took Major League Baseball by storm. He is the face of the Los Angeles Angels and his presence on the court is impeccable. Dubbed the "Japanese Babe Ruth," he is widely regarded as one of the sport's greatest players. His incredible talent and skill have made him one of the most recognizable players in MLB, and he's been an inspiration to many aspiring baseball players.
