VIDEO: Shohei Ohtani Gives Angels the Lead With Big 3-Run Oppo Shot
By Will Fowler
Shohei Ohtani may have gotten off to a slow start this season, but it sure didn't take him long to give the Angels a lead in St. Petersburg thanks to this opposite field bomb.
Sho starter. pic.twitter.com/Ex5Sdr0Yxk
— MLB (@MLB) June 13, 2019
"Big fly, Ohtani-san!"
That was the eighth time we've been able to hear those words this year, and it's the latest event that may be hinting at Ohtani finally heating up after missing the start of the season due to recovery from Tommy John surgery.
Ohtani, last year's American League Rookie of the Year, ended his maiden voyage in the MLB slashing .285/.361/.564 with 22 home runs while pitching to the tune of a 3.31 ERA in 51.2 innings.
Brad Ausmus noted that Shohei Ohtani has cleaned up his lower half in his swing in the last couple weeks.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) June 13, 2019
He’s now homered in each of his last four starts. pic.twitter.com/uF1ajTXAuY
He hasn't been able to find that form this year just yet, however, as he's been relegated to just a designated hitter role for now in light of his recent elbow surgery and has only slashed .251/.333/.444.
Perhaps this is a sign of things to come for the 24-year-old Japanese sensation.