Shohei Ohtani, the National League leader in home runs who also threw a 101.7 mph pitch for the Los Angeles Dodgers last week, spoke on potentially participating in the Home Run Derby.
Due to the nature of the rapid-fire home runs and timed rounds that would lead to possible over-exertion for someone recovering from a second Tommy John procedure and an offseason labrum surgery, the three-time MVP didn’t sound appear interested in participating.
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“With the current rules in place, I don’t think it’s feasible for me to compete well,” Ohtani said.
As things stand, the Home Run Derby has the first two rounds lasting three minutes, and the final round lasting just two minutes. Perhaps the pre-2015 Derby, consisting of 10 outs per round instead of the timer-based system, would have been more enticing for Ohtani. But regardless, the work that the superstar puts in for games that matter towards the Dodgers’ record is more than enough.
Not only is Ohtani leading the NL in home runs, but he leads the league in slugging percentage (.633), OPS (1.021), OPS+ (183), and leads MLB with 82 runs scored.
As things stand, Ohtani is in line to finish with the best slugging percentage OPS and OPS+ in his league for the third consecutive season.
The things that Ohtani is doing on the diamond each game are otherworldly and truly haven’t been seen in over a century.
Last season, Ohtani became the first player in MLB history to slug 50 or more home runs and steal 50 or more bases. He finished the historic campaign with 54 home runs and 59 stolen bases.
Although it is unlikely that Ohtani will participate in the Home Run Derby, he will hopefully continue smashing long balls for the Dodgers as they look to become baseball’s first back-to-back champions in a quarter-century.
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Photo Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
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