Shohei Ohtani is a Japanese professional baseball player who currently plays for the Los Angeles Angels in Major League Baseball (MLB).
He is known for his exceptional skills both as a pitcher and a hitter, a rare talent in modern baseball.
Who is Shohei Ohtani?
Ohtani was born on July 5, 1994, in Oshu, Iwate, Japan.
He began his professional baseball career with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball League in 2013, where he played for five seasons before joining the Los Angeles Angels in 2018.
As a pitcher, Ohtani throws right-handed and can reach speeds of over 100 miles per hour with his fastball.
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He has also developed a devastating splitter and a slider, making him a formidable opponent on the mound.
As a hitter, Ohtani is known for his power and speed. He has a career batting average of .266 with over 70 home runs and 150 RBIs.
He is also an excellent base runner, with over 30 stolen bases in his career.
Ohtani’s remarkable talents have made him one of the most exciting players in baseball, and he has been recognized with numerous awards and accolades.
In 2018, he was named American League Rookie of the Year, and in 2021, he became the first player in MLB history to be selected as an All-Star as both a pitcher and a position player in the same season.
Shohei Ohtani career
Shohei Ohtani is a Japanese professional baseball player who is known for his exceptional abilities as both a pitcher and a hitter.
Here are some key events in his career so far:
- In 2012, Ohtani was drafted by the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league straight out of high school. He quickly made a name for himself as a hard-throwing pitcher and a powerful hitter.
- Ohtani won the Pacific League Rookie of the Year award in 2013, his first full season with the Fighters.
- In 2016, Ohtani set a new NPB record for the fastest pitch thrown by a Japanese pitcher, clocking in at 165 kilometers per hour (102.5 miles per hour).
- In 2017, Ohtani announced that he would be coming to Major League Baseball (MLB) to play for an American team. He was highly sought-after by many teams due to his rare dual ability as a pitcher and hitter.
- In December 2017, Ohtani signed with the Los Angeles Angels for a reported $2.3 million signing bonus.
- Ohtani made his MLB debut on the mound in April 2018, pitching six innings and earning his first win. He also hit his first MLB home run in that game.
- Ohtani was named the American League Rookie of the Year for the 2018 season, becoming the fourth Japanese player to win the award.
- In 2019, Ohtani underwent Tommy John surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow. This caused him to miss the entire 2019 season as a pitcher, but he continued to play as a designated hitter.
- Ohtani returned to the mound as a pitcher in May 2021 and threw a seven-inning, 10-strikeout gem in his first start back.
- In June 2021, Ohtani became the first player in MLB history to be selected as both a pitcher and a hitter for the All-Star Game. He went on to win the Home Run Derby and was named the game’s MVP after hitting a home run and pitching a perfect inning.
- As of May 2023, Ohtani continues to play for the Los Angeles Angels, impressing fans and experts alike with his incredible talent and versatility on the field.
How Much is Shohei Ohtani Net Worth?
Shohei Ohtani’s net worth in 2023 (estimate): $10-15 million
How much is Shohei Ohtani contract?
Shohei Ohtani signed a 1 year / $30,000,000 contract with the Los Angeles Angels, including $30,000,000 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $30,000,000. In 2023, Ohtani will earn a base salary of $30,000,000, while carrying a total salary of $30,000,000.
