MLB: Los Angeles Angels: Shohei Ohtani makes debut with mixed success

Japan’s superstar Shohei Ohtani made his debut in jumping training for the Los Angeles Angels. Against the Milwaukee Brewers (6:5 Angels) the pitcher had mixed results. He got his first strikeouts, but he also gave a home run.

Ohtani started his day at Tempe Diablo Stadium in Tempe/Arizona with a double against Jonathan Villar, then took a strikeout against Nate Orf, gave a walk to Ji-Man Choi and finally allowed Villar’s run through a wild pitch. He ended his debut-inning with a pop-out of Manny Pina and another strikeout against Brett Phillips.

In the second inning it was time: Keon Broxton hammered a 1-1-pitch, which hit too much of the plate, over the fence in the left field. Afterwards Ohtani forced Nick Franklin to fly out and was replaced. The bottom line for Ohtani were 1 1/3 innings, 2 hits, 2 runs (ER), 1 walk and 2 strikeouts.

Manager Mike Scioscia was satisfied with the rookie’s performance:”Using it for the first time was great. He threw all his pitches. Some of them were really as expected, others missed a little bit their release point. But it’s a step forward.”

Ohtani himself then said:”Honestly, I didn’t feel much nervousness. I felt like I was pitching in Japan again. But it’s the beginning of the year, the first game of the year and I’m obviously not at 100 percent. I’m still trying to work towards it.”

Brewers-Right-Fielder Brewers-Fielder Brett Phillips, who took a strikeout against Ohtani, said:”He may have to locate his fastball a little better, because today he was a bit flat. But the pitches came well from his hand. His off-speed stuff was really good. He definitely has a chance to be really good. I was allowed to see all his pitches.”

It is not yet clear when Ohtani will be playing the record for the first time, but according to Scioscia this will be “early next week”. His pitching debut was already attended by 100 media representatives, and his premiere as a hitter should not be any less.

This article was published without prior view by the Major League Baseball.