Ichiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners shocked the world in 2001 when he batted .350 with 242 hits and 56 stolen bases to lead the American League (AL) in batting, hits, and stolen bases.
But if you're "really" good at baseball, it's possible for Asians to hit for power and mobility in the majors and win batting titles. Of course, it was unthinkable for an Asian to win both Rookie of the Year and MVP, but it wasn't considered impossible.
But home runs are different. There was no way an Asian hitter could chase down the big-bodied white, black, Latin American sluggers who were accustomed to hitting hard and fastballs from their amateur and minor league days. Even when Hideki Matsui of the New York Yankees became the first Asian player to hit 31 home runs in 2004, it was widely believed that it would never be surpassed.
It would be nearly 20 years before this preconception was shattered. Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels hit 46 home runs in his first full season in the big leagues in 2021, easily surpassing Matsui's record. He was just two behind Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Toronto) and Salvador Perez (Kansas City), who shared the top spot.
There were hopes that an Asian home run king could be crowned, but with the Yankees' Aaron Judge hitting 62 home runs last year, Ohtani was no longer in contention. If the 6-foot-1, 200-pound mixed-race player had the 메이저놀이터 perfect batting balance, he could still win the title for a few more years.
But something unbelievable has happened this season. Oh has exploded onto the scene at the turn of the season and has taken sole possession of the home run lead.
Ohtani hit his 24th home run of the season on April 19 against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Trailing 1-2 in the bottom of the fifth inning, he lined a 69.7-mph fastball from Kansas City starter Zack Greinke over the right-center field fence. It was the game-winner in a 5-1 victory.
It gave him a two-run lead over Pete Alonso (New York Mets) and a five-run gap over Jersey (22) for the AL lead. With both Alonso and Judge on the disabled list and unlikely to return until at least this month, the home run title this season will likely go to Ohtani.
Matt Olson (Atlanta), Kyle Schwarber (Philadelphia), and Jorge Soler (Miami), who are tied for third overall with 20 homers, are in good shape, but they can't match Ohtani's power and feel.
After homering for the second straight day against Kansas City the day before, Ohtani now has eight homers in his last 10 games and 12 in his last 19. It's a streak that can only be described as "monstrous. Since the Angels have played 74 games, Ohtani is arithmetically on pace to hit 52.5, or 52-53 home runs.
He would become the first Asian to hit 50 home runs, and a bi-league home run title would no longer be a pipe dream. Ohtani stands at 1.93 meters tall and weighs 95 kilograms. He has a muscular, slender frame and excellent mobility.
His 24 home runs have an average distance and bat speed of 420 feet and 109.1 mph. Among the 79 hitters with 10 or more home runs, he ranks fourth in distance and third in bat speed. It's not just the quantity of home runs, but also the quality.
He hit 11 home runs to right, 10 to center, and 3 to left. As a left-handed hitter, it's not surprising that he has a lot of home runs to the right, but the fact that he has a majority of 13 to the center and left speaks volumes about his hitting ability. His two-run shot to left-center in the top of the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers on May 15 traveled 116.1 mph, 안전놀이터추천 the fastest home run ever hit by a left-handed hitter.
No matter the pitch. Ohtani has hit five four-seam fastballs, four each of a curveball, changeup, and cutter, three sliders, and two each of a sinker and sweeper. Pitcher type doesn't matter either. He's hit 18 homers in 202 at-bats against right-handers and six in 71 at-bats against left-handers.
With 151 career home runs, Ohtani is third on the all-time big league home run list for Asians. He could pass second-place Matsui (175) later this year and first-place Shin-Soo Choo (218) next year.
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