Shohei Ohtani Continues Impressive Season With Latest Angels Feat

The two-way player made franchise history not seen in 45 years.

Shohei Ohtani notched another impressive feat on Sunday during his start against the Twins. The 28-year-old accomplished something no Angels pitcher has done in 45 years, dating all the way back to the 1978 MLB season. 

After fanning nine batters in a stellar outing against Minnesota, Ohtani became just the second player in franchise history to strike out 80 batters in their first 10 starts. He was the first to do so since Nolan Ryan, who recorded 97 strikeouts in his first 10 appearances in 1978, one of his final seasons with the Angels, according to ESPN Stats and Info.

Shohei Ohtani is the first Angels pitcher with 80 K in their first 10 pitching appearances of a seasons since Nolan Ryan had 97 K through 10 starts in 1978. pic.twitter.com/h8ozapgWXY

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 21, 2023

Ryan is one of baseball’s most renowned pitchers. He made five All-Star Games in eight seasons with the franchise from 1972 to ’79. While Ohtani is still shy of eclipsing Ryan’s mark, it’s impressive for him to join the fireballer in franchise history. 

Ohtani pitched six innings during Sunday’s outing, registering a win while striking out nine batters. He surrendered one earned run on two hits with three walks, improving his ERA to 3.05 for the season. The Angels won the game, 4–2. 

Ohtani’s 80 strikeouts rank third in MLB, trailing only Braves’ Spencer Strider (86) and Blue Jays’ Kevin Gausman (81). His 12.2 K/9 ranks behind only Strider (15.0) and Reds’ young ace Hunter Greene (12.4).