.kKeedG{color:#057AFF;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;border-bottom:none;font-family:"proxima-nova","open Sans","Helvetica","Arial",sans-serif;}/*!sc*/ "I don't have a sinker," Ohtani said demurely, amid laughter in his shy yet proficient English. Learn how to pitch like Shohei Ohtani in 43 seconds, best back-to-back performance in MLB history. But in the middle of the \\[second inning\\] I got the feel back.\n\nIn anticipation of any miscommunication that could arise while working together for the first time, Langeliers sat down with Fujinami for lunch before the game and mapped out a plan for how they wanted to approach hitters. Shohei Ohtani delights fans after sprinting out a home run for the Angels. First time over here, you know the eyes are on you. It would be very interesting for Ohtani to emulate Kevin Gausmans pitch usage. @media (min-width:768px){.ggWmAj{max-height:60px;padding:16px 32px 16px 24px;}}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb .p-search__input--icon.close-icon:hover{cursor:pointer;}/*!sc*/ It comes straight at the hitter, with barely any horizontal movement. data-styled.g144[id="Styles__StickyHeaderContainer-sc-1wye7kw-0"]{content:"ggWmAj,"}/*!sc*/ data-styled.g145[id="Styles__StickyHeaderContent-sc-1wye7kw-1"]{content:"jbYgiH,"}/*!sc*/ In that start, Ohtani threw 59% four-seamers, 24% splitters and 15% sliders. International players like Kodai Senga are always a challenge to project. Hitters are striking out in 90% of their plate appearances against the Ohtani split. @media (max-width:1023px){.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-items--quick--show-revenue .header__nav-top__nav-item{margin-top:-12px;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-items--quick--show-revenue .header__nav-top__nav-item__link{padding:0;}}/*!sc*/ The right-hander induced 17 swinging strikes and two called strikes with the pitch, which averaged 89.2 mph, and he struck out the side Seth Brown, Yan Gomes and Elvis Andrus with splitters in the seventh. It was another to see the hype become real in the Major Leagues. I have been around the game since I was 4 years old and have, The Top 10 Pitches of the 2022 MLB Season. April 24, 2021 8:40 pm ET. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top{background-color:#041E42;}/*!sc*/ He has five total starts this season with cutter usage less than 3.5% and six starts with cutter usage greater than 14%. #Angels 3 Shohei Ohtani Retweeted Shohei Ohtani threw a nasty split-fingered fastball in the first inning on Sunday that raised the eyebrows of Angels manager Joe Maddon, who is not used to seeing his two-way star go to his signature put-away pitch so soon. He has given up 93 hits and held opponents to a .208 average. At the plate, Shohei Ohtani is hitting .279 with 70 RBIs, trailing only Toronto's Vladimir Guerrero Jr (73) and Boston's Rafael Devers (72). .mHQYb .mlb-header__login-menu__link{display:block;padding:10px;color:#081c3b;background-color:#f7f7f7;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}/*!sc*/ Its understandable if Fujinami might have wanted to put on a show. As MLB pitchers see him more often, Ohtani will probably go through more growing pains as a hitter than he will as a pitcher. .hHLkAw input.right{padding-right:32px;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb .p-search__form svg{width:16px !important;height:16px !important;}/*!sc*/ Ohtani is definitely a class act, from an extreme A's fan. He makes adjustments constantly, but the biggest difference from when I first saw him last year to now is overall command of all of his pitches.. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item--spotlight .header__nav-top__nav-item__text{color:#081c3b;}/*!sc*/ sup{top:-0.5em;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__logo--mlb{-webkit-box-flex:99;-webkit-flex-grow:99;-ms-flex-positive:99;flex-grow:99;padding-right:0;padding-left:28px;}/*!sc*/ Despite poor performance, Ohtani is opting to throw the cutter on 11.3% of pitches, while going four-seam fastball 53.1%, slider 13.4%, and splitter 18.5%. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .icon{display:inline-block;-webkit-align-self:center;-ms-flex-item-align:center;align-self:center;line-height:20px;}/*!sc*/ And then you realize it's not even the best reason to watch Ohtani. .mHQYb .p-search__status{left:-9999px;position:absolute;}/*!sc*/ Of course, its not going to move the needle in the present tense, Maddon said, but who knows? Toward the end of the video, Ohtani is asked to present his sinker grip. .blUWSx .share-icon__button{background:none;border:none;padding:0;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-open .header__nav-top__nav-items{display:none;}/*!sc*/ Im going to be pitching next year and beyond, so I think this whole experience is gonna help me down the road. Making his first Cactus League start in Oaklands 11-5 loss to the Angels at Hohokam Stadium on Tuesday afternoon, Fujinami turned in a performance that matched the excitement generated upon his signing this offseason. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side{display:none;-webkit-align-items:stretch;-webkit-box-align:stretch;-ms-flex-align:stretch;align-items:stretch;width:100%;height:calc(100vh - 56px);position:relative;overflow:hidden;z-index:99992;top:0;}/*!sc*/ It's been too long. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .icon *{fill:currentColor;}/*!sc*/ abbr[title]{border-bottom:none;-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;-webkit-text-decoration:underline dotted;text-decoration:underline dotted;}/*!sc*/ MESA, Ariz. -- Shintaro Fujinami expected to battle nerves in his highly anticipated As debut, which was only amplified once it was announced that the pitching matchup would come against Japanese countryman Shohei Ohtani. .hspSPq:hover svg path{fill:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ Two-way star Shohei Ohtani helped the Angels end a five-game losing streak with a 110-pitch outing against the Rays Sunday. The movement on Ohtani's splitter is straight up and down, a contrast with other splitters that fade to the pitcher's arm side. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top > *{-webkit-order:0;-ms-flex-order:0;order:0;-webkit-flex:1 1 auto;-ms-flex:1 1 auto;flex:1 1 auto;}/*!sc*/ Should the Angels Trade or Extend Shohei Ohtani This Offseason? data-styled.g148[id="Styles__FigureContainer-iefwtj-0"]{content:"fFwXhn,"}/*!sc*/ @font-face{font-family:'proxima-nova';src:url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-medium.woff2') format('woff2'), url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-medium.woff') format('woff');font-weight:500;font-style:normal;}/*!sc*/ Hes based on feel. .ggWmAj{background:#ffffff;box-shadow:0 2px 4px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.2);max-height:64px;overflow:hidden;padding:8px 16px;position:fixed;top:0;width:100%;z-index:2;}/*!sc*/ I spoke with Perry [Minasian, Angels general manager] in spring training, and we decided just to watch and see how hes doing and make decisions based on where hes at during the course of the year. They've whiffed on 17 of those swings. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__sponsor-url-logos{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-pack:end;-webkit-justify-content:flex-end;-ms-flex-pack:end;justify-content:flex-end;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;}/*!sc*/ data-styled.g114[id="sc-bdfBwQ"]{content:"mHQYb,"}/*!sc*/ pic.twitter.com/xarW9lrNbb, Shohei Ohtani, 2018 Highlights. Just relax a little bit.","type":"markdown"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2023-03-01T00:42:25.24Z","description":"Shea Langeliers joins MLB Tonight to discuss his opportunity to make an impact for the A's and getting to know the pitching staff","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:01:16","mp4AvcPlayback":"https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2023/2023-02/28/b52d1421-a278dfc8-814c1d55-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4","slug":"langeliers-on-preparing-for-2023","tags":[{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"teamid-133","title":"Oakland Athletics"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"playerid-669127","title":"Shea Langeliers"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"mlbn-mlb-tonight","title":"MLB Tonight"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"mlb-network","title":"MLB Network"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"spring-training","title":"Spring Training"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"cactus-league","title":"Cactus League"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"interview","title":"interview"}],"templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/{formatInstructions}/mlb/ss2nqxb8amgkopqymknr","title":"Langeliers on preparing for 2023","type":"video","url":"/video/langeliers-on-preparing-for-2023"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"Its understandable if Fujinami might have wanted to put on a show. The new approach has allowed Gausman to flourish this season. Advanced metrics agree as well. Ohtani throws splitter 42.7% when ahead in the count and four-seam fastball 64.6% on the first pitch or when behind in the count. @media (min-width:1024px){.mHQYb header.mlb-header[data-is-club],.mHQYb header.mlb-header[data-is-microsite]{background-image:linear-gradient(#002867 50%,#081c3b 50%);}.mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-open .header__nav-top__nav-items{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;}}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__button{background:none;border:none;padding:0 16px 0 0;font-size:14px;font-weight:bold;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;}/*!sc*/ .hHLkAw input.left{padding-left:32px;}/*!sc*/ Maddon believes the benefits of pitching Sunday and making one or possibly two more starts this season could be felt in 2022. He has a great feel for what hes doing out there. + View Shohei Ohtani's Pitches in 3d + Similar Pitchers to Shohei Ohtani Based on Velocity and Movement: 2021 - Dinelson Lamet 2021 - Luis Gil That early? Maddon said after a 3-2, 10-inning loss to the Oakland Athletics in Angel Stadium. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-item__subnav-arrow{color:#ffffff;margin-left:auto;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;font-size:10px;opacity:0.5;}/*!sc*/ The first hit he allowed was a single by Wilson Ramos off third baseman Zack Cozart's glove on May 20. [type="search"]{-webkit-appearance:textfield;outline-offset:-2px;}/*!sc*/ It was a really good one, and I looked at [pitching coach Matt Wise] and said, Splitter? Keep reading to learn all about pitching grips from one of the best in the entire MLB. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. data-styled.g21[id="imagestyle__Img-sc-xw1tzz-1"]{content:"ebrWqN,iQELft,"}/*!sc*/ With his sinker averaging 16 inches of run from left to right, those two pitches can diverge by 30 inches if he starts them out in the same spot. Be the first one to comment on this story. .sczZi{border-bottom:1px solid #dddddd;border-top:1px solid #dddddd;font-size:1rem;margin:32px 16px;padding:32px 0;}/*!sc*/ .hHLkAw{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;position:relative;}/*!sc*/ @media (min-width:1024px){.hUHmCp > article{margin:auto;max-width:967px;}.hUHmCp > article > section{grid-column:1 / span 8;}.hUHmCp > article > aside{display:block;grid-column:9 / 13;}}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top [class$='__nav-item__text']{color:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ He had good command of it. article ul{list-style:disc;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb .p-search__input--icon--sm{top:0.5rem;right:0.5rem;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top .header__nav-top__button-menu--icon span:nth-child(4){top:16px;}/*!sc*/ @font-face{font-family:'proxima-nova';src:url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-black.woff2') format('woff2'),url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-black.woff') format('woff');font-style:normal;font-weight:900;font-display:fallback;}/*!sc*/ Backs Aaron Judge for the 2022 AL MVP Award, Tinkering with Shohei Ohtanis Pitch Usage. Ohtani has probably already done enough on both sides of the ball to confirm that hes the real deal. code,kbd,samp{font-family:monospace,monospace;font-size:1em;}/*!sc*/ He's routinely throwing splitters in the low 90s -- 11 of his 23 swinging strikes have been on splitters 90 mph or faster, as have 11 of his 18 K's. .mHQYb .p-search-item__container:hover{background-color:#e6f2ff75;color:#333333;}/*!sc*/ I want to keep on throwing I think every time I throw, I learn something and get better, Ohtani said.