Dodgers' Dave Roberts Isn't Surprised Anymore With What 'Super Athlete' Shohei Ohtani Can Do

Maren Angus-Coombs | Apr 10, 2024

Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Whether Shohei Ohtani admits it or not, signing the largest contract in baseball history brings high expectations and added pressure — but as soon as the sunflowers flew into his face after launching his first home run with the Los Angeles Dodgers into the right field pavilion, he start to shed his protective armor.

“You could see it as sunflower seeds were hitting his face,” manager Dave Roberts joked. “I could see the relief in his eyes, yeah.”

The relief has taken an underwhelming 8-for-33 start with no home runs in his first eight games and transformed into 11 hits, four doubles, one triple, and three more home runs over the past five games. He raised his batting average from .270 to .345 in less than a week.

“When he’s controlling the strike zone and getting pitches in his nitro zone, there’s just really not a better hitter,” Roberts said. “With super athletes, I’ve learned you just don’t become surprised anymore. And Shohei is just a different athlete. He really is.”

Roberts knew Ohtani would come around in the box but the biggest difference he's seen that contributed to his recent success is his demeanor. He's more light-hearted, he's smiling, he's laughing. In short, he has finally adjusted to being on a new team.

Ohtani agreed while fielding questions from reporters before Monday's game in Minnesota, saying in Japanese that he feels a renewed “ease” in the batter’s box.

“I think each day we’re learning more [about him],” Roberts said. “He’s becoming more comfortable. He’s laughing a ton. He’s asking questions.”

Through the first couple weeks of the season, Ohtani has faced controversy after controversy. His former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, was caught in a gambling scandal and accused of stealing $4.5 million from his personal accounts. Then, Ohtani was accused of lying about meeting the fan who caught his home run at Dodger Stadium when it was just a misinterpretation.

Now, he has appeared to find a new, maybe more relaxed, headspace. He has expressed gratitude for his new teammates and has downplayed the impact that either controversy might have had. He's playing freely and that in itself is a giant weight lifted off his shoulder.