Worst take ever award goes to... "I’m not impressed with Shohei Ohtani" (August 15, 2020) - AngelsJunky

[Angelsjunky]

As a hitter. Every at bat seems to be a strikeout or a ground out into the shift. He never strikes me as a hitter who commands the zone, but yet another undisciplined batter who occasionally gets lucky on a mediocre pitcher. 
 

I really hope he can pitch because I don’t see his path to stardom being with the bat.

[Lou]

Crossing fingers for Like Clockwork.

[Taylor]

It's been a while since we've had a classic reverse jinx thread. And AJ is the best at 'em (closely followed by Glen).

[AngelsLakersFan]

Maybe it’s the weather but today has got to be the high for hot takes on here so far this year.

[Chuck]

53 minutes ago, Angelsjunky said:

As a hitter. Every at bat seems to be a strikeout or a ground out into the shift. He never strikes me as a hitter who commands the zone, but yet another undisciplined batter who occasionally gets lucky on a mediocre pitcher. 
 

I really hope he can pitch because I don’t see his path to stardom being with the bat.

He almost hit one out against a lefty opposite field. 

[Lou]

3 hours ago, Chuckster70 said:

He almost hit one out against a lefty opposite field. 

AJ was almost impressed.

[ScottT]

133 OPS+ in his first 854 plate appearances.

I am.

[Jason]

It’s obvious that he’s always going to be an injury concern as a pitcher so I don’t see a whole lot of pitching in his future. If he can’t figure it out at the plate soon then the Ohtani experiment should be over. 

[Lou]

1 hour ago, Jason said:

It’s obvious that he’s always going to be an injury concern as a pitcher so I don’t see a whole lot of pitching in his future. If he can’t figure it out at the plate soon then the Ohtani experiment should be over. 

No.

[Angelsjunky]

He is significantly worse this year then last, which was a big drop from his rookie year. It would seem there’s an easy book on Ohtani and he hasn’t adjusted yet. Obviously I hope he does, but I don’t think it is irrational to be concerned.

[Claude]

4 minutes ago, Angelsjunky said:

He is significantly worse this year then last, which was a big drop from his rookie year. It would seem there’s an easy book on Ohtani and he hasn’t adjusted yet. Obviously I hope he does, but I don’t think it is irrational to be concerned.

The scouts have caught up with Shohei. You pitch him high and tight early and then you own him. It’s considered disrespectful in Japan to do that so he’s not used to it. 

[Stradling]

Pitchers are mishandling Ohtani.

[Claude]

2 minutes ago, Stradling said:

Pitchers are mishandling Ohtani.

Especially the lefties. 

[Angelsjunky]

13 minutes ago, RendZone said:

The scouts have caught up with Shohei. You pitch him high and tight early and then you own him. It’s considered disrespectful in Japan to do that so he’s not used to it. 

So the problem is bushido?

[Claude]

43 minutes ago, Angelsjunky said:

So the problem is bushido?

Just think for a moment about how Roger Clemens would’ve pitch to Shohei. He just seems too timid but he sometimes gets away with a late swing because of pure strength. He’s a monster in BP hitting bombs in deep RF but in games he hits mostly everything to left center. 

 

Edited August 16, 2020 by RendZone

[Jay]

11 hours ago, Angelsjunky said:

I really hope he can pitch because I don’t see his path to stardom being with the bat.

Wow AJ this really runs counter to the AW dogma.

[Angel Oracle]

I have to wonder if playing both ways takes away from his ability to adjust.

It’s a lot to remember everything about pitching and hitting.

[AngelsLakersFan]

1 minute ago, Angel Oracle said:

I have to wonder if playing both ways takes away from his ability to adjust.

It’s a lot to remember everything about pitching and hitting.

This is the main reason why I had my doubts about his ability to do both successfully. This probably goes a long way to explaining why he is such a poor base runner also. 

[Lou]

On 8/15/2020 at 8:29 PM, Angelsjunky said:

As a hitter. Every at bat seems to be a strikeout or a ground out into the shift. He never strikes me as a hitter who commands the zone, but yet another undisciplined batter who occasionally gets lucky on a mediocre pitcher. 
 

I really hope he can pitch because I don’t see his path to stardom being with the bat.

 

On 8/16/2020 at 3:57 AM, Jason said:

It’s obvious that he’s always going to be an injury concern as a pitcher so I don’t see a whole lot of pitching in his future. If he can’t figure it out at the plate soon then the Ohtani experiment should be over. 

 

On 8/16/2020 at 7:46 AM, Angelsjunky said:

He is significantly worse this year then last, which was a big drop from his rookie year. It would seem there’s an easy book on Ohtani and he hasn’t adjusted yet. Obviously I hope he does, but I don’t think it is irrational to be concerned.

 

On 8/16/2020 at 11:51 AM, Angel Oracle said:

I have to wonder if playing both ways takes away from his ability to adjust.

It’s a lot to remember everything about pitching and hitting.

I agree

[PattyD22]

Holy hell, this was me as I started to read this thread.

nice work @Lou

[Angelsjunky]

Not one of my finer moments.

[stormngt]

On 8/15/2020 at 8:29 PM, Angelsjunky said:

As a hitter. Every at bat seems to be a strikeout or a ground out into the shift. He never strikes me as a hitter who commands the zone, but yet another undisciplined batter who occasionally gets lucky on a mediocre pitcher. 
 

I really hope he can pitch because I don’t see his path to stardom being with the bat.

Wow this didn't age well.

[Jason]

16 minutes ago, Lou said:

 

 

 

I agree

Nope, you can’t throw this in my face. I’m on the record admitting I was wrong about him. 

[Chuck]

We're back in business, @Lou.

[Lou]

I'm back, baby!