With Shohei Ohtani now in his sixth main league season, everybody in baseball is aware of what he’s able to, even when they don’t all the time imagine their eyes.
Already an MVP, Rookie of the Year and two-time All-Star, the Angels’ two-way sensation has wowed audiences throughout the globe together with his prowess on the plate and on the hill. This yr alone, the lefty hitter owned a .298 common, 142 OPS+, three residence runs and 9 RBI getting into Tuesday’s series-opener in opposition to the Yankees. The right-hander received’t pitch on this sequence, however he additionally owns a 0.86 ERA and 27 strikeouts over 21 innings and 4 begins.
However, it’s one other ability of Ohtani’s that impresses Aaron Boone probably the most.
“His speed,” the Yankees supervisor mentioned when requested, “because that’s the last thing you talk about. You watch him get down the line and it’s like, ‘Oh, and he’s the fastest guy out there, too.’ It’s amazing what he’s doing. It really is.”
Ohtani hadn’t stolen a base but this season, however he’s swiped at the least 10 yearly since coming over from Japan in 2018 — apart from the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
Boone went on to marvel if the designated hitter might play an elite centerfield if he wasn’t a pitcher.
Ohtani, who completed second in MVP voting final season behind Aaron Judge, has had some offensive success at Yankee Stadium. While he entered Tuesday as a .139 hitter within the Bronx, he’s additionally hit three residence runs. The stadium’s mound has been much less sort to Ohtani, as he’s allowed 11 earned runs over simply 3.2 innings, which have been divided between two begins.
Nonetheless, the Yankees — together with each different workforce — would profit from having the upcoming free agent of their lineup and rotation. Of course, buying his distinctive skillset will take a lump sum of cash — and/or prospects at this summer season’s commerce deadline, probably — and there’s certain to be competitors for the one-of-a-kind participant.
“Just a special talent that maybe we’ve never seen,” Boone mentioned, “and maybe never will again.”
SIX WEEKS FOR STANTON
Boone hopes to have Giancarlo Stanton again in six weeks after the designated hitter suffered a Grade 2 left hamstring pressure over the weekend.
“We’ll just let it play out how it does and look forward to getting him back,” the supervisor mentioned. “And in the meantime, create some opportunities for other people to hopefully step up and fill the void that obviously he creates in the middle.”
Stanton, whose legs have failed him earlier than, was off to a sizzling begin with 4 residence runs and 11 RBI over his first 13 video games.
REHAB ROUNDUP
Carlos Rodon (again tightness/forearm pressure) threw a break up session on Monday, however his again continues to be “barking,” per Boone. While Boone downplayed the problem as a mere “nuisance,” the southpaw is getting checks finished. Boone has mentioned that the pitcher’s elbow and arm are high-quality.
“We definitely know he’s going to be worth the wait,” Boone mentioned of the Yankees’ largest offseason addition. “We just want to make sure he’s good to go.”
Right-hander Luis Severino (lat pressure) stays ache free and can throw dwell batting apply on Thursday, although he’s undecided what number of innings or pitches he’ll go. Center fielder Harrison Bader (indirect) shall be amongst these Severino throws to, based on Boone. If all goes properly, Bader will start a rehab project Friday.
Boone added that righty reliever Jonathan Loaisiga (elbow irritation) is trending towards starting a throwing program later this week.
URSHELA’S RETURN
Gio Urshela is glad to be again at Yankee Stadium for 3 video games in opposition to his previous workforce.
“Always special,” the Angels infielder mentioned earlier than Tuesday’s contest. “Got a lot of good memories here in New York, so I feel really good to be back here.”
The Yankees traded Urshela and Gary Sanchez to the Twins two springs in the past within the deal that introduced Josh Donaldson, Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Ben Rortvedt to New York. The Twins then flipped Urshela to the Halos this previous offseason.
After a number of profitable seasons in pinstripes, Urshela mentioned the Yankees commerce “surprised” him at first, however he understands that baseball is a enterprise. He additionally mentioned the he doesn’t hold monitor of how his third base successor is doing, although some puzzled if Urshela trolled Donaldson and the Yankees on Twitter final October after the latter’s tough postseason.
Urshela entered Tuesday’s recreation with a .290/.340/.428 slash line, 14 residence runs, 72 RBI and a 119 OPS+ over 158 video games for the reason that commerce. Donaldson, who performed in a rehab recreation attributable to a hamstring harm on Tuesday, has hit .219/.304/.373 with 16 residence runs, 63 RBI and a 92 OPS+ in 137 video games for the reason that deal.
O’HOPPE’S HOMECOMING
Tuesday marked a homecoming for Angels catcher Logan O’Hoppe, who was born in West Islip and went to St. John the Baptist High School.
The backstop grew up a Yankees fan, however he insisted that he now not roots for his hometown workforce.
“It’s pretty surreal,” O’Hoppe mentioned of taking part in at Yankee Stadium. He’s finished so earlier than — as a youngster and through an exhibition recreation previous to the 2020 pandemic-shortened season — however Tuesday marked his first time doing so in entrance of a big crowd. He stopped counting what number of company can be in attendance after “a couple hundred.”
O’Hoppe already has a viral second at Yankee Stadium. That got here in 2018, when he was 17 and caught a second-deck residence run hit by then-Orioles star Manny Machado. He swiftly threw the ball again onto the sphere, as one does within the Bronx.
“I remember not being able to watch the rest of the game because it was the first time my phone was blown up,” O’Hoppe mentioned. “So good learning moment for moments like tonight.”
THE CENTURY MARK
Tuesday marked the one centesimal anniversary of the unique Yankee Stadium, which opened its gates on April 18, 1923. Babe Ruth swatted the primary residence run on the historic ballpark, whereas Bob Shawkey pitched an entire recreation in a 4-1 win over the Red Sox. They did so in entrance of 74,200 folks — the most important crowd in baseball historical past on the time. The Yankees in the end christened their new residence with the franchise’s first of 27 championships that season.
The unique stadium price roughly $2.5 million to construct, rather less than Domingo German’s 2023 wage. Renovations got here from 1974-1975 whereas the Yankees performed at Shea Stadium, and the fashionable Yankee Stadium opened throughout the road in 2009. This time, the construction price roughly $2.3 billion. Like the unique Yankee Stadium, the Bombers concluded the brand new stadium’s inaugural season with a World Series title.
The Yankees gave followers a commemorative ticket for the 1923 opener earlier than Tuesday’s recreation in opposition to the Angels. A public park now occupies the positioning of the unique Yankee Stadium.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com