Angels Rumors: Expert Predicts Shohei Ohtani Somehow Wins MLB Home Run Title

This would be even more impressive with his injury.
Angels Rumors: Expert Predicts Shohei Ohtani Somehow Wins MLB Home Run Title
Angels Rumors: Expert Predicts Shohei Ohtani Somehow Wins MLB Home Run Title /
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With the season coming to a close in the next few weeks, there isn’t a lot for the Los Angeles Angels to play for except pride. It has been a grueling year for this organization, and this winter could see them lose some valuable members of the team.

One of those members is two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani, who is scheduled to be a free agent. He is widely expected to leave the Halos in the offseason to pursue a team that can consistently allow him to win games.

But over these last few weeks, Ohtani does have something to play for, and that is the MLB home run crown. He currently sits six back of Matt Olson of the Atlanta Braves, so Ohtani does have his work cut out for him. Plus, adding in his UCL tear, it could be a longshot. 

However, Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report is predicting that Ohtani will finish with the overall lead when all is said and done.

"The Angels have 18 games remaining and, just sayin’, Ohtani has hit as many as 14 home runs in an 18-game span before. And nobody can say he doesn’t have incentives to go on a similar rampage to round out the season. Though his UCL is a complicating factor, a home run title can only boost his value on the upcoming free-agent market."

Per Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report

He has yet to hit a single home run since learning of the torn UCL, but Ohtani may still have some tricks up his sleeve. 

All it takes is him getting into a few game rhythm, and he could easily catch Olson. If Ohtani were to catch Olson and ultimately surpass him, it would be even more impressive due to his injury.

This will be something to watch down the stretch of the season, but Ohtani has already claimed the American League MVP award for the year. This would just be the cherry on top of everything.

Ohtani, of course, will need to play to overtake the home run lead, and he remains out with an oblique injury. But manager Phil Nevin has said he wants to return, so we'll see if this prediction is possible.


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Matt Levine
MATT LEVINE

Matt earned a Master of Science degree in Sport Management from Louisiana State University in 2021. He was born and raised in the Los Angeles area, covering all Southern California sports in his career.