After getting off to somewhat of a slow start at the plate, Shohei Ohtani has bounced back by putting up video game-like numbers in recent weeks.
The 29-year-old enters play Wednesday hitting .341/.385/.634 with 10 doubles, one triple, four home runs and 10 RBI in 92 plate appearances across 20 games. He has recorded at least one hit in all but two games this season and is consistently making hard contact.
But if there is one area that Ohtani can improve in, it’s with runners in scoring position. He is just 1-for-19 thus far, a far cry from his career .288 batting average in that department.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts noted that he wants to see Ohtani take more pitches and work deeper counts, via Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times:
“Shohei is obviously a very aggressive hitter, but he can do a better job of getting into a count,” Roberts said. “Right now, he’s been super aggressive, more than he’s ever been with runners in scoring position. So we’ve got to temper that back, make these guys continue to make pitches. We’ll address that.”
Ohtani tends to swing early in the count, which has amounted to plenty of success throughout his career. It’s a similar approach Roberts and the Dodgers saw with Corey Seager, a notorious first-pitch swinger in most situations as well.
Although Ohtani is a focal point, the Dodgers as a whole have struggled with runners in scoring position this season as they are tied for 15th with a .258 batting average.
MLB still planning Shohei Ohtani interview
Although the U.S. Attorney’s Office has concluded their investigation into former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara by charging him with federal bank fraud, MLB is still planning to interview Ohtani.
After the findings were revealed, Ohtani expressed gratitude toward the government and reiterated that his focus is on helping the Dodgers reach their goals this season.
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