Shohei Ohtani (29, LA Angels) hit a home run with incredible power.
Ohtani started as the third designated hitter in the official evaluation match of the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC) against the Hanshin Tigers held at the Kyocera Dome in Osaka, Japan on the 6th, and recorded 2 hits (2 homers) and 6 RBIs in 3 at-bats.
Ohtani, who started a real game for the first time after joining the Japanese national team, struck out on a swing with no runners in the first inning by Hanshin starting pitcher Hiroto Saiki’s 4th fastball with a 154 km high.
Ohtani hit a home run with Saiki again in the top of the 3rd inning, leading 1-0, with 2 outs on 1st and 2nd base. In particular, as his back fell back, he hit Saiki’s forkball with his left knee in a kneeling position, but sent the batted ball over the middle wall. Then, in the beginning of the 5th inning, which led 4-1, with 2 outs, 1st and 2nd base, after a full count battle with Hanshin’s second pitcher, Ren Tomida, he hit a high 142km high fastball on the 7th pitch and hit a home run.
Ohtani was replaced by pinch hitter Yamakawa Hotaka (Seibu Lions) in the lead batter at bat in the beginning of the 7th inning.
Yamakawa, a former Pacific League home run champion three times in his personal career, said, “(Looking at Ohtani’s home run) is really amazing. It makes me want to quit baseball.” It means that Ohtani’s striking skills and strength are astounding. 슈퍼벳 토토
Sadaaki Yoshimura, hitting coach of the Japan national team, praised him, saying, “The first home run lost the timing, but based on batting skills, I sent the ball over the fence. It was a hit.”
Hanshin Tigers coach Okada Akinobu laughed, saying, “It’s okay even if I get hit by Ohtani. We don’t fight head-to-head during the season.” Then, he added about Ohtani’s first home run hit, “It was a fork falling into the ball. I can’t help but be surprised to catch it and connect it to a home run.”
Korea faces Japan on the 10th. Even before the evaluation, we must be wary of Ohtani, who boasts a sense of climax.
On the other hand, Japan won 8-1 amidst the performance of major leaguers. Ohtani scored 6 RBIs, and Lars Nutba (St. Louis Cardinals) and Masataka Yoshida (Boston Red Sox) added 1 RBI each.