Reporter Lee Sang-cheol = Shohei Ohtani (LA Angels), who is about to participate in the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC), threw a powerful pitch from the first day of spring camp.
Ohtani plans to pitch in the Major League (MLB) exhibition game on March 2 (hereinafter Korean time) and join the Japanese baseball team, and in the first round of the WBC rotation, the possibility of pitching against China on the 9th rather than Korea on the 10th has increased. .
On the 16th, Ohtani was summoned to the Angels’ spring camp held at Diablo Stadium in Tempe, Arizona, USA.
Ohtani, who entered the bullpen from the first day, threw a total of 37 balls and checked his physical condition and various types of pitches.
Ohtani, who built up his body early in preparation for the WBC, which opens in March, attracted attention by making various attempts in bullpen pitching that day. From set position, he threw the ball with his left foot about half a step toward first base or stepping on one side of the plate.
catcher Logan Ohafi, who worked with Ohtani on battery, gave him a thumbs up, saying, “Today Ohtani’s ball was really good. It was the best.”
Locally, interest in Ohtani’s bullpen pitching was hot. The reporters as well as the Angels’ owner Arte Moreno and general manager Perry Manasian watched Ohtani’s every ball.
On this day, the schedule for the major league exhibition game Ohtani will participate in before joining the Japanese national team was also confirmed.
According to Japanese media outlets such as Nikkan Sports, Ohtani is scheduled to pitch live on the 26th and hit the Chicago White Sox on the 27th and the San Francisco Giants on the 28th.
On March 1st, he takes a break against the Oakland Athletics, and a day later goes out as a starting pitcher against the Milwaukee Brewers for a final check. He later moved to Japan and joined the Japanese national team. 먹튀검증
As Ohtani went out as a starting pitcher in an exhibition game against Milwaukee, the WBC expected starting schedule was also outlined. Chunichi Sports reported, “Considering the rest on the 6th, Ohtani is expected to pitch in the quarterfinals on the 16th following his first match against WBC China on the 9th.”
Unlike other international competitions, the WBC has restrictions on the number of pitches (up to 65 in round 1, up to 80 in round 2) and rest days (4 days rest for 50 or more). The Angels allowed Ohtani to double as a pitcher in the WBC, but did not allow a pitcher to pitch in relief. Therefore, if Ohtani starts in the first game against China, he cannot pitch in the match against Korea on the 10th.
Meanwhile, Ohtani is expected to be the starting pitcher for the opening game of the major leagues for the second year in a row. “Even if Japan makes it to the WBC Finals, I think it’s possible for Ohtani to pitch in the Major League Opening Day against Oakland on March 31,” Angels manager Phil Nevin said.