Dave Roberts Loves Shohei Ohtani’s Team Approach, Willingness to Improve
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani has been struggling at the plate, specifically with runners in scoring position.
Ohtani is now 1-for-19 (.053) with runners in scoring position this season, which is terrible for someone who entered Tuesday with a .289 career average, a .618 slugging percentage, 1.036 OPS, and 45 home runs with runners in scoring position.
“Shohei is obviously a very aggressive hitter, but he can do a better job of getting into a count,” manager Dave Roberts said. “Right now, he’s been super aggressive, more than he’s ever been with runners in scoring position. So we’ve got to temper that back, make these guys continue to make pitches. We’ll address that.”
Despite his paltry numbers with runners in scoring position, Roberts said Ohtani has an openness and willingness to get better — not just for himself, but for the team.
“He is completely open to getting better in any way, shape or form,” Roberts said on the MLB Network Radio show Loud Outs. “His team approach is winning. He’s more than willing to hit a grounder to drive in a run with the infield back or hit a fly ball to drive in a run. He plays to win.”
Ohtani leads the team with 31 hits and 10 doubles and he is second on the team with a .360 batting average, a .400 on-base percentage, a .640 slugging percentage, and a 1.040 OPS.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
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