We are running out of things to say about Shohei Ohtani.
What can’t he do? Nothing, that’s what.
He pitches like a Cy Young candidate. He hits like an MVP. Throws back to the mound he doesn’t see? Totally easy to catch. Swinging and missing at a pitch becomes a highlight.
And on Tuesday night, he had an all-timer of a game against the Chicago White Sox.
He struck out 10 batters AND hit two home runs on the same night. Wild, right? And it all just seems so casual for him.
So let’s run through some wild facts about his night and what’s turning into an incredible season:
1
What a night!
Shohei Ohtani's night:
2 HR as a batter
10 Ks as a pitcher. 😱 pic.twitter.com/Bzm0Q3qvKF— MLB (@MLB) June 28, 2023
Shohei Ohtani is the first AL pitcher to strike out 10 batters and homer in the same game since C.C. Sabathia in 2008.
(h/t @ckamka) pic.twitter.com/PhObbYYzNx
— MLB Vault (@MLBVault) June 28, 2023
2
He hit a home run AFTER being removed for a nail issue
10+ K’s, 2 HR, and a cracked nail. Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr.Ohtani. pic.twitter.com/WMfUm7vwzB
— Sebastian Alvarez (@castlehill814) June 28, 2023
Shohei Ohtani was removed from tonight's game as a pitcher because of a cracked finger nail.
He also just right now hit his second home run of the night in his next at bat.— Sarah Valenzuela (@Sarah_IsabelVee) June 28, 2023
3
He's an amazing hitter when he pitches
Shohei Ohtani is batting .407 in games he pitches so far this season. pic.twitter.com/yLEBpe1cKY
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) June 28, 2023
That shows how good of an athlete he is. WOW.
4
His pitching stats are as good, if not better, than other aces
Shohei Ohtani now has 16 games with 10+ strikeouts since the start of last season, 5 more than anyone else in MLB in that span
HE ALSO HAS 61 HR IN THAT SPAN
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) June 28, 2023
Double-digit strikeout games since the start of last year:
Shohei Ohtani, 16 (and 62 HRs hit) 😮
Kevin Gausman, 11 (and 0 HRs hit)
Carlos Rodón, 11 (and 0 HRs hit)
Spencer Strider, 11 (and 0 HRs hit)
Gerrit Cole, 11 (and 0 HRs hit)— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) June 28, 2023
5
Look at these numbers!
Shohei Ohtani is now hitting over .300 on the season with 27 home runs and 63 RBI both leading Major League Baseball.
He has also now lowered his ERA to 2.97 on the season and leads the league in batting average against and is Top 5 in strikeouts for a pitcher.
Let that sink in
— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) June 28, 2023
Kevin Gausman leads all pitchers with 3.5 fWAR.
Ronald Acuna Jr. leads position players in fWAR, 4.3.
Ohtani has 5.7 fWAR, hitting/pitching combined, leading MLB in HR, RBI, SLG, Adjusted OPS+ total bases (200), opp. avg., K/9. He's making $30m and he's the biggest bargain.— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) June 28, 2023
6
BONUS: He couldn't high five his teammates after a home run
… Because he needed to prepare to pitch. When have you ever seen that?
Ohtani with the communal high five because he’s gotta get ready to get back on the mound 😭
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) June 28, 2023
