Will Shohei Ohtani enter the Home Run Derby?
Shohei Ohtani is baseball's shiniest diamond, a shoo-in for the 2023 All-Star Game in Seattle. However, shouldn't the MLB leader in long balls also participate in the Home Run Derby?
Addressing the possibility while speaking with reporters this week, Ohtani didn't commit to the home run showcase but also didn't rule it out.
"I don't know when my next start is, so it really kind of depends on that," Ohtani said, via Sarah Valenzuela of the Los Angeles Times. "I haven't really thought that far ahead."
Ohtani suffered a cracked nail on the middle finger of his pitching hand, forcing the Angels to pull him from the mound in Tuesday's win over the Chicago White Sox in the seventh inning. However, the injury didn't seem to impact Ohtani at the plate, launching his league-leading 28th homer of the season in the bottom half of the inning to cap off a 3-for-3, two-long ball evening.
If Ohtani makes his next scheduled start, it will probably occur next during a three-game (July 3 to July 5) road set against the San Diego Padres. Although, which day Ohtani takes the mound will ultimately decide whether or not he'll take hacks in the derby. While it'd be nice to see Ohtani smashing balls into the stands at T-Mobile Park in two weeks, it's not worth potentially suffering an injury or throwing off the rhythm of his spectacular season.
Entering play Wednesday, Ohtani led the MLB in home runs (28), RBI (64) and OPS (1.039). Meanwhile, Ohtani is 7-3 on the bump, boasting a 3.02 ERA in 16 starts.
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