If some still doubted the physical abilities of new Los Angeles Dodgers player Shohei Ohtani, he has proven once again that he is just as gifted at the plate as he is on the mound.
In a video posted to the team's X account on Monday, the versatile player can be seen hitting balls with disturbing ease. As the balls are thrown with less force than in a major baseball game, the video lets us see all the power the 29-year-old athlete possesses.
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Most importantly, Ohtani appears to have recovered well from elbow surgery that forced him to miss the final 11 games of the 2023 regular season. The Japanese won't pitch this year, but he should serve as designated hitter.
“I feel like my swings were pretty good, which is a good sign,” he told The Athletic. I think this could allow me to be ready for the season opener (March 28).”
After five seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani signed a 10-year contract with the Dodgers on December 9 worth $700 million.
In 497 at-bats, he had 151 hits, including 44 home runs, an American League high. He had a .304 batting average and drove in 95 runs. As a pitcher, the right-hander went 10-5. He maintained a 3.14 earned run average.
That fall, Ohtani was named American MVP for the second time in his career.