Dodgers Hitting Coach Has High Praise for Shohei Ohtani After First Batting Practice of Spring

Ohtani receives huge praise after first batting practice.

Los Angeles Dodgers fans got a pleasant surprise at the beginning of the week when their superstar offseason signing Shohei Ohtani hit his first batting practice of 2024. This batting practice was significant as it marked the return of Ohtani batting outside for the first time since undergoing surgery to repair his torn UCL.

Ohtani took 21 swings, hitting 10 of them out of the park. Although he said he was trying to hit on the "lighter" side, his highest exit velocity reached 109 mph.

This practice caught the attention of many, including his new hitting coach, Robert Van Scoyoc.

"On the field, he looks great. He looks awesome," Van Scoyoc said. "He’s moving good. He’s moving fast. The ball is really coming off. He’s explosive. So from everything I’ve seen, he looks outstanding,"

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Juan Toribio of MLB.com

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Knowing Ohtani's work ethic and track record, this is not much of a surprise. The Dodgers signed Ohtani to a gigantic $700 million contract in part because of his tremendous batting ability, but it's still encouraging to see him perform well in just his first batting practice back after a major injury.

It's a great sign that Ohtani looks to be ready to return to his typical form once the season begins. Ohtani is coming off of a 2023 campaign in which he hit .304 — the highest average of his career — with an American League leading 44 home runs, 95 RBIs and a 1.066 OPS. 

The three-time All-Star's phenomenal 2023 season also earned him several accolades, including the AL MVP, the Edgar Martínez award for the top designated hitter, the Hank Aaron Award for the best hitter according to fans and the media, and a second Silver Slugger award.

If he can hit like this after his injury, the Dodgers will have plenty more to cheer for in 2024.