Angels News: Shohei Ohtani in Process of Perfecting New Pitching Variation

Ohtani is never done improving

Los Angeles Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani was in a league of his own at the start of the 2023 season. His bat was as elite as ever, but his pitching is what really put him over the top. He was virtually unhittable through his first six starts, as he only allowed 11 hits in 34 innings pitched and seven runs. 

However, since May, he hasn't looked the same, and he's doing all he can to get back to that dominant start he was on. By doing so, Angels catcher Chad Wallach revealed to OC Registers Jeff Flecther that Ohtani is working on the sweeper that made him a force to be reckoned with.

“It’s still a great pitch,” Wallach said. “I’m not there in the bullpens when they are working on it, but I’m sure they’re getting it worked on down there. I’m sure it will be just fine.”

(via OC Register)

Ohtani's sweeper hasn't been where he wanted it to be, as he has allowed seven home runs on his sweeper compared to allowing only one in 2022. 

Shohei Ohtani, Wicked 86mph Front Door Sweeper. 🤢 pic.twitter.com/4cU8Z3EdFM

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 3, 2023

Shohei Ohtani, sweeper 😳

It took 21" of break to strike out Julio Rodriguez.

(via @_dadler) pic.twitter.com/JtoU4V9ufR

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) April 6, 2023

Shohei has five true pitches in his arensel, the four-seamer, splitter, slider, curveball, cutter. If he can get the sweeper to where he wants it to be, he will be even more lethal than he already is. 

Shohei's next start is scheduled for Thursday; we'll see how many times he pulls out the sweeper against the first-place Texas Rangers.