Angels News: Former Cy Young Pitcher Calls Shohei Ohtani One of MLB’s Nastiest Pitchers
There are several types of plays that can get a baseball fan excited. You got the 400+ foot home runs, home run robberies, and outstanding infield plays that result in multiple outs, but there is nothing like a nasty strike-out in a crucial moment.
There is no doubt in Angels' Pitcher, Shohei Ohtani, ability to throw some heat from the mound as he has been recognized by former CY Young winner and current MLB Network Analyst, Jake Peavy, as a Top 3 "Nastiest Pitcher" in the Majors.
"When his slider [and fastball] is executed, it is unhittable."
via Jake Peavy of MLB Network
When you have the skills to just throw an 100-mph fastball at the same consistency as Shohei Ohtani, and have guys miss their swings like the way he makes them do, it just makes baseball so much more fun to watch, especially when this man is on the mound.
With a 5-2 win-loss record and a 1.04 WHIP, Ohtani joins Tampa Bay Pitchers , Tyler Glasnow and Shane Mclanahan, taking the number two spot in Peavy's Top 3 'Nastiest Pitchers" in Baseball.
As filthy his performances on the mound has been this season, his efforts around the plate have been just as effective, as the World Baseball Classic winner launched a 453-foot two-run homer for his 21st home run of the season in Wednesday's 6-3 loss against the Texas Rangers. He now leads the American League in Home Runs.
As he soars through the final year of his Angels' contract, Ohtani's ability to pitch and bat mark's him as one of the most valuable players in the free agency market, with big clubs like the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees interested in the Japanese pitcher.
Shohei Ohtani will start tonight for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim as they take on the Texas Rangers in the final game of the four-game series in Arlington.